The impact of personal factors (falls efficacy,depression and fatigue) on walking activity of chronic stroke patients

Abstract

Background The physical activity of community-dwelling stroke patients is low. This inactive lifestyle could contribute to further activity limitations and increased disability. Higher levels of physical activity, particularly ambulation activity, prior to stroke are associated with better community reintegration. Rehabilitation efforts for persons with stroke focus primarily on enhancing physical functioning, to regain home- and community-based ambulation. Theoretically the physical activity level and walking activity of stroke patients might be affected by other personal factors. Objectives This study will determine the impact of personal factors (falls efficacy, depression and fatigue) on the physical activity level of chronic stroke patients. Gender and age are taken into account in this possible relation. The second objective is to determine the impact of personal factors on the walking activity of chronic stroke patients. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited community dwelling individuals or independent residents in nursing homes minimally three months post-stroke. Outcome measures are fatigue (FSS), depression (HADS), falls efficacy (FES) and walking- and physical activity (IPAQ). In order to determine the impact of the personal factors on the physical activity level and walking activity, a multivariate logistic regression was conducted. Results For affecting the physical activity level, age and falls-efficacy are significant predictors. For affecting the walking activity, no significant factors were found. Conclusion Patients who reported a higher falls efficacy, are thus more physically active than the patients who reported a lower falls efficacy. Age was negatively correlated to the physical activity level. The older the patient, the less physically active. For further research, the sample of the population could be more representative for the stroke population and also include the more disabled community-dwelling individuals affected by stroke. Walking activity should be measured through accelerometers or step activity monitors instead of questionnaires.