Exploring physical activity in people after stroke: a substudy of the Falls After Stroke Trial

Ingrid Lin, Catherine M. Dean, Joanne V. Glinsky, Lindy Clemson, Elisabeth Preston, Petra L. Graham, Katharine Scrivener

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: The Falls After Stroke Trial (FAST) intervention involves habit-forming functional exercise and mobility practice which may increase physical activity. This substudy of FAST explores physical activity in community-dwelling people after stroke comparing the FAST intervention to usual care. Methods: This study used a subset of 49 participants from a randomised trial. Outcome measures were taken at baseline, 6- and 12-months. The primary outcome was physical activity (step count, upright time and sedentary time, activPAL4™ micro). Results: Thirty-nine participants (80%) had valid primary outcome data at 6 months and 36 participants (73%) at 12 months. Compared to baseline, the experimental group completed 485 (95% CI −434 to 1405) more steps/day than the control group at 6 months and 724 (95% CI −239 to 1667) more steps/day at 12 months; and spent 36 (95% CI −46 to 118) fewer min/day in sedentary behaviour than the control group at 6 months and 34 (95% CI −51 to 119) fewer min/day at 12 months, although the differences were not significant. Conclusions: FAST may improve physical activity more than usual care at 6- and 12-months but results are inconclusive. Further research could be conducted to confirm any benefit in a larger sample.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalDisability and Rehabilitation
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2024

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