Abstract 15269: Baseline Relationships of Walking, Physical Activity Habits and Self-perceived Recovery After Stroke in People Engaged in a Healthy Lifestyle Program

Abstract

Introduction: Recovery of walking is an important goal for people after stroke and is linked with acquiring secondary conditions deleterious to health. Our purpose was to assess the baseline relationships between walking performance, physical activity habits and self-perceived recovery after stroke in people engaged in a healthy lifestyle program. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that walking performance would be strongly related to self-reported stroke recovery and physical activity habits. Methods: Community dwelling adults at least 12 months post-stroke with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater were recruited to participate in a healthy lifestyle program adapted for people with stroke. Baseline measures of walking performance [10-meter walk test (10MWT); 6-minute walk test (6MWT)] and self-reported outcomes [Self-Report Habits Index (SRHI); Stroke Impact Scale (SIS)] were correlated. Results: Adults (34 male, 31 female; 64.6% scored as having some disability on the Modified Rankin Scale) aged 57.9±12.8 years with a BMI of 33.0±5.9 and median of 3 years post-stroke participated. 10MWT walking speed was 1.0±0.4m/s and 6MWT distance walked was 343.3±132.3m. SRHI physical activity scores of 4.6±1.7 (above average habit formation; scale = 1 - 7) and SIS subscales ADL/IADL and mobility normed scores of -0.1±0.7 and -1.3±0.8 respectively, and perceived recovery of 70.9±16.9% were reported. The 10MWT was significantly and moderately correlated with SIS ADL/IADL (r=0.48; p<0.001) and mobility (r=0.41; p<0.001), but weakly with SIS perceived recovery (r=0.34; p<0.01) and SRHI physical activity (r=-0.32; p<0.01). The 6MWT was significantly and moderately correlated with SIS ADL/IADL (r=0.48; p<0.001) and mobility (r=0.47; p<0.001), but weakly with SIS perceived recovery (r=0.33; p<0.01) and SRHI physical activity (r=-0.33; p<0.01). Conclusions: Walking performance among our participants post-stroke was consistent with community dwelling adults, but only somewhat related to their perception of recovery of function and mobility. Additional factors beyond perceived recovery likely contribute to walking abilities post-stroke.