Carina U. Persson, Per-Olof Hansson
The Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Per Dubbsgatan 14, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. E-mail: carina.persson@neuro.gu.se
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2707

Objective: To determine the frequency of, and factors associated with, physical inactivity 6 months post-stroke.
Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort.
Patients: A total of 215 consecutively included individuals with mild acute stroke from the Fall Study of Gothenburg.
Methods: Physical activity level was assessed using the 4-level Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Scale. Associations between independent variables and the dependent variable physical inactivity 6 months post-stroke were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses.
Results: At 6 months post-stroke, 81 individuals (37. 7%) reported physical inactivity. Physical inactivity at 6 months after a mild stroke were associated with: stroke severity, odds ratio (OR) 1. 29 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1. 01–1. 66, p = 0. 043); physical inactivity prior to stroke, OR 2. 89 (95% CI 1. 39–6. 04, p = 0. 0046); moderate postural control, OR 6. 71 (95% CI 2. 48–18. 16, p = 0. 0002); poor postural control, OR 2. 55 (95% CI 1. 19–5. 48, p = 0. 016); and number of drugs in acute stroke, OR 1. 20 (95% CI 1. 06–1. 35, p = 0. 0046).
Conclusion: In this exploratory study, almost 40% of subjects reported physical inactivity 6 months after an acute mild stroke. Predictors of physical inactivity were physical inactivity before stroke and greater stroke severity, impaired postural control and a higher number of drugs in acute stroke.

Physical activity has positive health benefits and can prevent the onset of stroke. Identification of individuals at risk for physical inactivity after stroke, during the first week after arrival at hospital, could have an important influence on preventive and rehabilitative actions. There are few previous studies on early prediction of physical inactivity, and these studies have a limited number of subjects. This study of 215 individuals aims to determine which factors prior to, and in the first week after, a mild stroke are associated with physical inactivity 6 months after stroke. The results show that physical inactivity before stroke and greater stroke severity, impaired balance and a higher number of drugs taken in the first week after stroke onset are associated with physical inactivity 6 months after stroke.