title: Changes in the physical activity of acute stroke survivors between inpatient and community living with early supported discharge: an observational cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and compare patterns of physical activity among stroke survivors during their hospital stay and community living with early supported discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational cohort study of physical activity before and after early supported discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  UK National Health Service stroke units and participants' homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one stroke survivors with a mean age of 69 (standard deviation 11) years, and a median Modified Rivermead Mobility Index of 33.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 25.8 to 35.3].
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measures were time spent in sitting/standing/walking and number of steps taken, as recorded by a physical activity monitor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistical differences (P<0.001) for all categories of physical activity. After early supported discharge to the community, participants took more than twice the number of steps {median 474 (IQR 189 to 773) vs. 1193 (IQR 512 to 2856), median difference 636 [95% confidence interval (CI) 262 to 931]} and spent more than double the time in standing [median 51 (IQR 22 to 128) minutes vs. 100 (IQR 51 to 178) minutes, median difference 28 (95% CI 11 to 68)] compared with their hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community living with early supported discharge promoted higher levels of physical activity in medically stable stroke survivors. The near-doubling of activity may serve as a guideline for what is achievable during stroke rehabilitation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Number UKCRN 15472.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence in Rehabilitation Research, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: a.kerr@strath.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence in Rehabilitation Research, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rowe
authors.affiliation: Lanarkshire Stroke MCN, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Esson
authors.affiliation: Lanarkshire Stroke MCN, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barber
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Observational study; Physical fitness; Rehabilitation; Stroke; Walking