Levels of physical activity and quality of life among community-dwelling adults with stroke in a developing country

Abstract

Purpose

To estimate the levels of physical activity (PA) in community-dwelling adults with stroke and to correlate it with the quality of life (QoL).

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, adults with chronic stroke were assessed for PA using Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD) and an accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X). QoL was assessed using Stroke Specific Quality of Life (SSQoL).

Results

PA levels of our participants (n = 33; mean age 58.4 ± 12.1 years; mean FMA score 165.7 ± 31.1) were low with the mean activity of 252.9 ± 149.2 kilo counts per day and median energy expenditure of 77(44.6, 117.7) kilocalories per day. Median step count was 1635 (1084.9, 2434.3) steps per day. Mean time spent in sedentary and light activities were 504.1 ± 139 and 149.8 ± 68.3 minutes per day, respectively. Median time spent in moderate and vigorous activities were 1.6(1, 4.4) and 0(0,0) minutes per day, respectively. Median PASIPD score was 12.3(6.1, 25.8) MET. Hours/day. SSQoL was found to have a positive correlation with average kilo counts/day, kilo calories/day, steps/day and PASIPD (r = 0.48, p = .06; r = 0.46, p = .009; r = 0.44, p = .016; and r = 0.61, p ≤ .001 respectively).

Conclusions

PA levels of adults with stroke living in the semi-urban region of India are low and do not meet the recommended guidelines.

Keywords:

• Physical activity
• stroke
• accelerometer
• PASIPD
• energy expenditure
• quality of life

Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Fiona Bull, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, for provision of accelerometers for carrying out the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.