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. 2013:2013:438679.
doi: 10.1155/2013/438679. Epub 2013 Aug 19.

Physical activity patterns of acute stroke patients managed in a rehabilitation focused stroke unit

Tanya West  1 , Julie Bernhardt
Affiliations

Physical activity patterns of acute stroke patients managed in a rehabilitation focused stroke unit

Tanya West et al. Biomed Res Int. 2013.

Abstract

Background: Comprehensive stroke unit care, incorporating acute care and rehabilitation, may promote early physical activity after stroke. However, previous information regarding physical activity specific to the acute phase of stroke and the comprehensive stroke unit setting is limited to one stroke unit. This study describes the physical activity undertaken by patients within 14 days after stroke admitted to a comprehensive stroke unit.

Methods: This study was a prospective observational study. Behavioural mapping was used to determine the proportion of the day spent in different activities. Therapist reports were used to determine the amount of formal therapy received on the day of observation. The timing of commencement of activity out of bed was obtained from the medical records.

Results: On average, patients spent 45% (SD 25) of the day in some form of physical activity and received 58 (SD 34) minutes per day of physiotherapy and occupational therapy combined. Mean time to first mobilisation out of bed was 46 (SD 32) hours post-stroke.

Conclusions: This study suggests that commencement of physical activity occurs earlier and physical activity is at a higher level early after stroke in this comprehensive stroke unit, when compared to studies of other acute stroke models of care.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean (SD) proportion of the day (a) in each physical activity category, (b) in each location, and (c) with different people present. Therapy includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. People present categories are not mutually exclusive.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean proportion of formal therapy time in each physical activity category for physiotherapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportion of patients first mobilised by different staff.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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