Physical activity levels in individuals after stroke

The increase of physical activity levels, defined as any voluntary bodily movement that requires energy expenditure, might improve function and health in individuals after stroke. The general objective of this thesis was to analyze the current level of evidence about interventions to increase physical activity level after stroke and to develop an experimental study that could provide evidence that could help clinical practice. The first study had the objective to describe a protocol for the development of a systematic review (PROSPERO 2016: CRD42016037750) about the effects of interventions on physical activity levels after stroke. The objective of second study was to develop a systematic review of randomized controlled trials that examined which interventions have been employed for increasing physical activity levels after stroke. Eighteen studies were included (good PEDro and very low GRADE-scores). In seven studies, the experimental groups (aerobics, resistance, and home-based training; counseling, aerobics, resistance, and home-based training; electrical stimulation; functional-task training; robot-assisted therapy; accelerometer-based feedback, and physical activity encouragement) showed significant increases in physical activity. However, the small number of studies and the heterogeneity in the interventions, outcome measures, and results limit the conclusions. The third study had the objective to describe the protocol of a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02798237) aimed to investigate if aerobic training is effective on improving physical activity levels and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities after stroke. The fourth study, a randomized controlled trial, aimed to investigate if aerobic training would improve physical activity levels and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities (primary outcomes), and cardiorespiratory fitness, depression, endurance, mobility, participation and quality of life (secondary outcomes) after stroke. Twenty-two community-dwelling adults with chronic stroke were randomized in two groups. The experimental group performed aerobic treadmill training at 60-80% of their heart rate reserve. The control group performed overground walking below 40% of heart rate reserve. Both groups received 40 minutes of intervention three days per week over 12-weeks. There were no significant changes on physical activity levels and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities. Compared to the controls, the experimental group showed increased quality of life (13 points; 95%CI: 3.5 to 23 points). Both groups improved depression (2.2 points; 95%CI: 0.01 to 4.3 points), endurance (31-55 m; 95%CI: 3.8 to 107 m), and mobility (0.12 m/s; 95%CI: 0.02 to 0.2 m/s). There were no other significant changes. The results of this thesis showed that the limited evidence currently available is insufficient to make a recommendation about interventions to increase physical activity levels of individuals after stroke. Further studies are needed to clarify the benefits of aerobic training on physical activity and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities.

Keyphrases: Stroke, Aerobic exercise, Physical activity, Sedentary lifestyle, Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy