How much physical activity do people recovering from stroke do during physiotherapy sessions?
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2009
Authors
Elson, T.
English, C.
Hillier, S.
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Journal article
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International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 2009; 16(2):78-84
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Abstract
Aims: This study investigated the amount of time people recovering from stroke spend engaged in physical activity during physiotherapy sessions, and the types of activities included in physiotherapy sessions.
Design: An observational study was conducted with 15 people receiving inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Participants were video-taped in one circuit class therapy session and one individual physiotherapy session. The proportion of session time participants spent engaged in physical activity within circuit class therapy and individual physiotherapy sessions and the proportion of session time participants spent engaged in specific activities during therapy sessions was measured.
Findings: There was little difference in the percentage of the total session time that participants spent engaged in physical activity (mean difference=1.7 (standard deviation 13.9%; 95% confidence interval −6.0 to 9.4) between the two modes of therapy delivery. The most prevalent activity engaged in during individual therapy sessions was walking (44%). The most prevalent activity engaged in during circuit class therapy sessions was activities in standing (25%). A large percentage of therapy session time was spent resting in sitting in both circuit class therapy (30%) and individual physiotherapy sessions (21%).
Conclusions: Participants spent a similar percentage of the total therapy time in circuit class therapy and individual therapy sessions engaged in physical activity. As circuit class therapy sessions ran for longer each day, and involved a lower staff to patient ratio they may be a more resource efficient means of providing therapy. This requires further investigation. In both types of physiotherapy sessions, participants spent a large amount of time inactive. Physiotherapists should consider strategies to maximize the time patients spend engaged in physical activity, regardless of the form of therapy delivery.
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Copyright 2009 MA Healthcare