title: Is activity loss predictive for development of upper limb oedema after stroke?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the disuse hypothesis as an explanation for upper limb oedema in patients with stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with acute hemiparetic stroke were recruited from 2006 to 2009 (n=139).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients wore 2 uni-axial accelerometers, 1 on each wrist, for 2 periods of 48 h with a 1-week interval. Activity performed by the patients with acute stroke was measured by determining total activity, measured as a total sum of raw counts, and calculating the ratio variable. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fügl-Meyer Assessment and modified Rankin Scale were used. During a 3-month follow-up, patients underwent 3 assessments of upper limb oedema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of upper limb oedema range for the objective evaluation was 7.7-14.7%, while the incidence for the subjective evaluation ranged from 11.5% to 18.1%. No significant differences were found between patients with and without oedema concerning the activity variables; therefore no prognostic value could be determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No difference in upper limb activity was found between patients with and without oedema after stroke. It is doubtful that loss of activity of the paretic limb is solely responsible for the development of upper limb oedema after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Sciences, Artesis University College of Antwerp, Merksem, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gebruers
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Truijen
authors.forename: Sebastiaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Engelborghs
authors.forename: Peter Paul
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: De Deyn
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010291:Paresis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology