Effects of home-based physical activity incitation and education program in subacute phase of stroke recovery after 6 months of monitoring

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of physical activity incitation and education program at home on functional capacity, fatigue and depression levels in subacute phase of stroke recovery. Eighty-four volunteers post-stroke patients participated in this randomized clinical trial (Mean ± SD; Age: 62 ± 13 years; Barthel Index: 95.4 ± 9.1; Weight: 76.8 ± 15 Kg; Stroke delay: 77.6 ± 45.7 days). Participants were divided into a Home-based Physical Activity Incitation group (HBPAI, n = 42) and Control group (CG, n = 42). HBPAI follow the physical activity incitation program during six months. The 6 minutes walking test (6MWT), Functional Ambulation Classification (FAC), Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory questionnaire (MFI-20) were measured at baseline (T0), after 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2). 6MWT (m) performed by HBPAI and CG group at T0, T1 and T2 was (374 ± 141.1; 454 ± 134.8; 437.8 ± 146.4) and (372.5 ± 149.4; 385 ± 157.8; 400.1 ± 153) respectively. Distance walked during 6MWT significantly increased in HBPAI than CG ( P < 0.05) at T1, but not at T2. Score of general fatigue significantly decreased between T0 and T1 (11.9 ± 3.1 and 10.5 ± 2.9; P < 0.004) and T2 (9.6 ± 4.1; P < 0.001) in HBPAI. Depression score significantly decreased between T0 and T2 (8.6 ± 3.2 and 6.5 ± 3.7; P < 0.01) in HBPAI. Increasing physical activity after stroke could improve post-stroke common functional problems. However, the efficacy of physical activity programs at home is still unknown (Jones et al., 2015). Furthermore, there is limited information about the effects of PA on fatigue levels after stroke (Duncan et al., 2012). HBPAI program could be a good strategy to improve the walking distance and decrease fatigue and depression scores in subacute phase of stroke recovery.