Physical activity associated with better functional recovery after stroke: JAMA

Six months after a stroke, more physical activity was linked to functional recovery, says an article published in the Journal of American Medical Association. 

Uncertainty exists regarding the ideal intensity and timing of post-stroke physical activity therapies to improve functional recovery. In order to assess the level of physical activity in the first six months following stroke among people with comparable patterns of physical activity over time and to look into the relationship between physical activity trajectories and functional recovery at six months following stroke, Dongni Buvarp and team conducted this study.

The Efficacy of Fluoxetine-a Randomised Controlled Trial in Stroke, which was carried out in 35 stroke and rehabilitation facilities throughout Sweden from October 2014 to June 2019, provided the data for this cohort analysis. Adult volunteers (over the age of 18) were enrolled between two and fifteen days after the beginning of the stroke and followed up with for six months. At one week, one month, three months, and six months, physical activity was evaluated. Numerous variables connected to physical activity patterns were looked into. Regression analysis with many variables was used to evaluate the relationship between the various paths and functional recovery. The main findings were the varied trajectories of physical activity across time, which were determined by group-based trajectory modelling. 

The key findings of this study were:

1. Two separate trajectory groups were found among the 1367 participants who were included: increasers (n = 720; 53%); and decreasers (647; 47%). 

2. In contrast to the decreaser group, which showed a reduction in activity before becoming inactive, the increaser group showed a considerable increase in physical activity level and maintained it at a low intensity for 1 week to 6 months. 

3. Regardless of the severity of the stroke, participants who were male and had normal cognition had a higher chance of being in the increaser group. 

4. A positive functional result at six months was associated with increasing physical activity and maintaining it at a low intensity.

In conclusion, improved functional outcomes may be attained by aiming interventions at stroke survivors who are reducing their physical activity.

Reference: 

Buvarp, D., Viktorisson, A., Axelsson, F., Lehto, E., Lindgren, L., Lundström, E., & Sunnerhagen, K. S. (2023). Physical Activity Trajectories and Functional Recovery After Acute Stroke Among Adults in Sweden. In JAMA Network Open (Vol. 6, Issue 5, p. e2310919). American Medical Association (AMA). https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.10919