title: Physical activity patterns of acute stroke patients managed in a rehabilitation focused stroke unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Comprehensive stroke unit care, incorporating acute care and rehabilitation, may promote early physical activity after stroke. However, previous information regarding physical activity specific to the acute phase of stroke and the comprehensive stroke unit setting is limited to one stroke unit. This study describes the physical activity undertaken by patients within 14 days after stroke admitted to a comprehensive stroke unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was a prospective observational study. Behavioural mapping was used to determine the proportion of the day spent in different activities. Therapist reports were used to determine the amount of formal therapy received on the day of observation. The timing of commencement of activity out of bed was obtained from the medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On average, patients spent 45% (SD 25) of the day in some form of physical activity and received 58 (SD 34) minutes per day of physiotherapy and occupational therapy combined. Mean time to first mobilisation out of bed was 46 (SD 32) hours post-stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that commencement of physical activity occurs earlier and physical activity is at a higher level early after stroke in this comprehensive stroke unit, when compared to studies of other acute stroke models of care.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia ; Physiotherapy Department, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernhardt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
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