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Articles

Time use and physical activity in a specialised brain injury rehabilitation unit: an observational study

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Pages 850-857 | Received 18 Apr 2017, Accepted 03 Apr 2018, Published online: 18 Apr 2018
 

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To determine what is the use of time and physical activity in people undertaking inpatient rehabilitation in a specialised brain injury unit. To determine participants’ level of independence related to the use of time and physical activity.

Methods: Design: Cross-sectional observation study. Participants: Fourteen people [mean (SD) age 40 (15) years] with brain injuries undertaking inpatient rehabilitation. Procedure: Participants were observed every 12 minutes over 5 days (Monday to Friday from 7:30 am until 7:30 pm) using a behaviour mapping tool. Outcome measures: Observation of location, people present, body position and activity engaged in (both therapeutic and nontherapeutic). Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were determined for each participant.

Results: Participants spent a large part of their time alone (34%) in sedentary positions (83%) and in their bedrooms (48%) doing non-therapeutic activities (78%). There was a positive relationship between a higher level of independence (higher FIM score) and being observed in active body positions (r=0.60; p=0.03) and participating in physically active therapeutic activities (r=0.53; p=0.05).

Conclusion: Similar to stroke units, inpatients in a specialised brain injury unit spend large parts of the day sedentary, alone and doing non-therapeutic activities. Strategies need to be evaluated to address this problem, particularly for people with greater physical dependence.

Acknowledgments

Eleni Danis for data collection. The authors are grateful to the study participants and hospital staff.

Declaration of Interest Statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

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