Association of Care Time with Physical Activity in Patients with Stroke

PURPOSE: To estimate the association between morning and evening care and the duration of physical activity in patients with stroke. DESIGN: Multicenter cross-sectional study. METHODS: Physical activity of patients with stroke from five rehabilitation hospitals was measured using an accelerometer. Four datasets relative to activity time periods (7:00-20:00, 9:00-20:00, 7:00-18:00, and 9:00-18:00) were compared, and measurement error was assessed using the absolute percentage error (APE) relative to the 7:00-20:00 reference dataset. RESULTS: The final analysis included 245 patients (median age 71 y). Median sedentary behavior, light intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during the 7:00-20:00 reference period were 644.7, 130.0, and 3.9 minutes per day, respectively. Based on the reference period of 07:00-20:00, the APE for LPA and MVPA was highest during 07:00-18:00 (LPA: 21.6; MVPA: 24.2), followed by 09:00-20:00 (LPA: 11.5; MVPA: 11.2) and 09:00-18:00 (LPA: 9.9; MVPA: 10.5). CLINICAL RELEVANCE TO THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION NURSING: Rehabilitation nurses should be aware that nursing care and self-care are key opportunities for patients to engage in physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Morning and evening care periods represent relevant physical activity times for survivors of stroke in rehabilitation hospitals.