Physical Functioning, Body Composition and Exercise in Elderly Community-living Individuals with Stroke

A comprehensive view of physical function, body composition and exercise post-stroke that is based on clinical examination is lacking. The effects of a progressive resistance and balance (PRB) exercise program have not been fully evaluated in community-living individuals after stroke. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore and describe physical function, physical activity, body composition, nutritional status and psychological factors. Another aim was to evaluate both the short-term and long-term effects of a PRB exercise program. Physical function, physical activity, body composition, nutritional status and psychological factors were assessed in community-living individuals (65-85 years) approximately 1 year after stroke. Paper I-II (n=195, n=134) had a cross-sectional design and the main outcome was mobility and physical activity. In paper III-IV, (n=67, n=43) individuals were randomly assigned to either a PRB exercise program group or a control group. The main outcomes were balance, mobility, fat-free mass (FFM) and fat-mass (FM). In paper I, mobility was reduced and physical activity level was low compared to age-matched healthy controls. Factors explaining the variance in mobility were age, physical activity, fall-related self-efficacy and EQ-5D. In paper II, >20% had a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and had an altered body composition that was mainly characterised by a high fat-mass index (FMI). Neither fat-free nor FM were associated with mobility in this cohort. The factors associated with low mobility were low physical activity Odds ratio (OR) (CI 95%) 8.2 (2.8-24.2), risk for malnutrition, OR 5.8 (1.6-21.1), and each 10-year period, OR 2.8 (1.24-6.24). Individuals participating in the PRB exercise program (paper III, n=67) revealed significantly higher balance, walking capacity and comfortable walking speed compared to the control group at 3 months. The faster walking speed persisted at 6 and 15 months. In paper IV (n=43), at 3 months, the PRB exercise group had a significant reduction in FM percentage and a decrease in IGF-1 compared with the control group. Further, changes in FMI were associated with improved walking capacity. Many individuals perceived partly modifiable disabilities 1 year after stroke. Exercising in groups for 3 months improved physical function and decreased fat-mass percentage and IGF-1

Physical Functioning, Body Composition and Exercise in Elderly Community-living Individuals with Stroke

A comprehensive view of physical function, body composition and exercise post-stroke that is based on clinical examination is lacking. The effects of a progressive resistance and balance (PRB) exercise program have not been fully evaluated in community-living individuals after stroke. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore and describe physical function, physical activity, body composition, nutritional status and psychological factors. Another aim was to evaluate both the short-term and long-term effects of a PRB exercise program. Physical function, physical activity, body composition, nutritional status and psychological factors were assessed in community-living individuals (65-85 years) approximately 1 year after stroke. Paper I-II (n=195, n=134) had a cross-sectional design and the main outcome was mobility and physical activity. In paper III-IV, (n=67, n=43) individuals were randomly assigned to either a PRB exercise program group or a control group. The main outcomes were balance, mobility, fat-free mass (FFM) and fat-mass (FM). In paper I, mobility was reduced and physical activity level was low compared to age-matched healthy controls. Factors explaining the variance in mobility were age, physical activity, fall-related self-efficacy and EQ-5D. In paper II, >20% had a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and had an altered body composition that was mainly characterised by a high fat-mass index (FMI). Neither fat-free nor FM were associated with mobility in this cohort. The factors associated with low mobility were low physical activity Odds ratio (OR) (CI 95%) 8.2 (2.8-24.2), risk for malnutrition, OR 5.8 (1.6-21.1), and each 10-year period, OR 2.8 (1.24-6.24). Individuals participating in the PRB exercise program (paper III, n=67) revealed significantly higher balance, walking capacity and comfortable walking speed compared to the control group at 3 months. The faster walking speed persisted at 6 and 15 months. In paper IV (n=43), at 3 months, the PRB exercise group had a significant reduction in FM percentage and a decrease in IGF-1 compared with the control group. Further, changes in FMI were associated with improved walking capacity. Many individuals perceived partly modifiable disabilities 1 year after stroke. Exercising in groups for 3 months improved physical function and decreased fat-mass percentage and IGF-1

Physical Functioning, Body Composition and Exercise in Elderly Community-living Individuals with Stroke

A comprehensive view of physical function, body composition and exercise post-stroke that is based on clinical examination is lacking. The effects of a progressive resistance and balance (PRB) exercise program have not been fully evaluated in community-living individuals after stroke. The overall aim of this thesis was to explore and describe physical function, physical activity, body composition, nutritional status and psychological factors. Another aim was to evaluate both the short-term and long-term effects of a PRB exercise program. Physical function, physical activity, body composition, nutritional status and psychological factors were assessed in community-living individuals (65-85 years) approximately 1 year after stroke. Paper I-II (n=195, n=134) had a cross-sectional design and the main outcome was mobility and physical activity. In paper III-IV, (n=67, n=43) individuals were randomly assigned to either a PRB exercise program group or a control group. The main outcomes were balance, mobility, fat-free mass (FFM) and fat-mass (FM). In paper I, mobility was reduced and physical activity level was low compared to age-matched healthy controls. Factors explaining the variance in mobility were age, physical activity, fall-related self-efficacy and EQ-5D. In paper II, >20% had a BMI ≥30 kg/m2 and had an altered body composition that was mainly characterised by a high fat-mass index (FMI). Neither fat-free nor FM were associated with mobility in this cohort. The factors associated with low mobility were low physical activity Odds ratio (OR) (CI 95%) 8.2 (2.8-24.2), risk for malnutrition, OR 5.8 (1.6-21.1), and each 10-year period, OR 2.8 (1.24-6.24). Individuals participating in the PRB exercise program (paper III, n=67) revealed significantly higher balance, walking capacity and comfortable walking speed compared to the control group at 3 months. The faster walking speed persisted at 6 and 15 months. In paper IV (n=43), at 3 months, the PRB exercise group had a significant reduction in FM percentage and a decrease in IGF-1 compared with the control group. Further, changes in FMI were associated with improved walking capacity. Many individuals perceived partly modifiable disabilities 1 year after stroke. Exercising in groups for 3 months improved physical function and decreased fat-mass percentage and IGF-1

Level of physical activity in men and women with chronic stroke.

INTRODUCTION: Community-dwelling stroke survivors generally show low levels of physical activity (PA). An improved understanding of the factors influencing participation in PA after stroke is imperative to improve levels of PA. Furthermore, gender differences in PA have received little attention in stroke research. The objective of this study was to examine gender differences in PA, physical functioning and psychological factors and the association between these factors and PA in men and women 1-3-year post-stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 187 community-dwelling individuals with stroke (65-85 years old, 29% women) were included in a secondary analysis based on data from a cross-sectional study. The exclusion criteria were severe cognitive or language dysfunction or dementia. The level of PA was measured by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly. Physical function included balance, walking speed and mobility. Psychological factors included depression, health-related quality of life and fall-related self-efficacy. Falls and fear of falling were each measured with a single question. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in PA levels between men and women. In multiple regression analyses, walking speed (p < 0.001) was associated with PA in men, and balance (p = 0.038) was associated with PA in women. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that strategies to increase PA levels 1-3-year post-stroke could be improved by considering gender-specific factors

Fear of falling, fall-related self-efficacy, anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective: To examine the risk and frequency of falls, prevalence of fear of falling and activity avoidance, the magnitude of fall-related self-efficacy, and anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Design and settings: A cross-sectional study in patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who visited a lung clinic at a university hospital in Sweden. Subjects: Successive inclusion from autumn 2005 to spring 2006 of 80 patients with a mean age of 65 years. Intervention: Nil. Main measures: A questionnaire about fall history and consequences of fall, The Falls Efficacy Scale, Swedish version, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. Results: Twenty patients (25%) reported at least one fall in the last year and 29% displayed fear of falling. Odds ratio for falling was 4—5 times higher in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Older patients, women and patients with previous falls had a higher rate of fear of falling, and those with fear of falling had lower fall-related self-efficacy, increased level of anxiety and depression, more activity avoidance and use of assistive device. Conclusion: The increased risk of falls in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease warrants attention in order to reduce serious and adverse health consequences of falls. </jats:p

Physical Activity Habits and Incident First-Ever Stroke in Middle-Aged Adults : A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Lifestyle affects the risk of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Several lifestyle factors, such as physical activity (PA), are modifiable, and in this study, we examined the association between leisure-time PA habits and the risk of a first-ever stroke.Methods: This prospective study included residents in Västerbotten, Sweden, who participated in the Västerbotten Intervention Programme at 40, 50, and 60 years of age. Altogether, 31,855 individuals (50.5% women, meanage: 42.6 [6.9] y at baseline) participated between 1989 and 2016. Leisure-time PA was categorized as irregular (never/now and then) or regular (once a week/2 or 3 times a week/more than 3 times a week). Changes in PA were compared between examinations (10 y apart). Cases of stroke were validated according to World Health Organization MONICA (Monitoring Trends and Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease) criteria. The risk related to changes in leisure-time PA was estimated using amultivariable Cox regression model.Results: During an average follow-up of 9.8 years (4.4), 609 incident first-ever stroke cases occurred (1.9%). A multivariable model showed that, compared with individuals with irregular PA at both examinations, those reporting regular PA over time had a lower risk of stroke (hazard ratio: 0.78, 95% CI, 0.61–0.99).Conclusion: Middle-aged adults who maintained regular PA during their leisure time over 10 years had a lower risk of a first-ever stroke. This association is probably partly mediated by lower body mass index and a reduced risk of hypertension and diabetes.</p

Protocol and pilot study of a short message service-guided training after acute stroke/transient ischemic attack to increase walking capacity and physical activity

Physical activity in community-living individuals after a stroke is usually scarce. This protocol describes a study that will evaluate a method to increase physical activity by performing a 3-month outdoor walking and muscle strengthening program and will examine the 3-month and 1-year effects of this program on individuals with acute stroke (AS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). In a prospective randomized controlled trial in Uppsala, Sweden, 80 individuals with AS or TIA who maintained cognitive and motor function will be randomized into groups for continuous training for three months or for regular standard care. The training will be supervised by daily cellphone-delivered messages (short message services; SMS), and the intensity, duration and workload will be gradually increased. The primary outcome is a change in walking capacity according to the 6-Minute Walk Test and chair-rising at three months. Secondary outcomes include mobility, gait speed, handgrip strength, body composition (fat mass and muscle mass), biochemical risk-markers, health-related quality of life, and cardiovascular events. Adherence to the training program will be documented with a self-reported diary and step counts over two weeks. The major study started in November 2016, and results are expected in 2019. In a pilot study of 15 subjects post-stroke (mean-age 65 years), we observed improved walking capacity (increasing from 23 to 255 m) and chair-rising (decreasing 2.42 s) from baseline to three months. SMS-guided outdoor training will be tested as a potential therapeutic strategy to increase physical activity and thereby improve walking capacity and physical function following a stroke

Factors associated with changes in walking performance in individuals 3 months after stroke or TIA : secondary analyses from a randomised controlled trial of SMS-delivered training instructions in Sweden

Objectives: This study aimed to identify factors related to changes in walking performance in individuals 3 months after a stroke or TIA. Design: Cross-sectional study with post hoc analysis of a randomised controlled study. Setting: University Hospital, Sweden. Participants 79 individuals, 64 (10) years, 37% women, who were acutely hospitalised because of stroke or TIA between November 2016 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 18 or above and the major eligibility criterion was the ability to perform the 6 min walking test. Intervention: The intervention group received standard care plus daily mobile phone text messages (short message service) with instructions to perform regular outdoor walking and functional leg exercises in combination with step counting and training diaries. The control group received standard care. Outcome measures Multivariate analysis was performed and age, sex, group allocation, comorbidity, baseline 6 min walk test, body mass index (BMI), cognition and chair-stand tests were entered as possible determinants for changes in the 6 min walk test. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that age (standardised beta -0.33, 95% CI -3.8 to -1.05, p&lt;0.001), sex (-0.24, 95% CI -66.9 to -8.0, p=0.014), no comorbidity (-0.16, 95% CI -55.5 to 5.4, p=0.11), baseline BMI (-0.29, 95% CI -8.1 to -1.6, p=0.004), baseline 6 min walk test (-0.55, 95% CI -0.5 to -0.3, p&lt;0.001) were associated with changes in 6 min walk test 3 months after the stroke event. The regression model described 36% of the variance in changes in the 6 min walk test. Conclusions: Post hoc regression analyses indicated that younger age, male sex, lower BMI and shorter 6 min walk test at baseline and possible no comorbidity contributed to improvement in walking performance at 3 months in patients with a recent stroke or TIA. These factors may be important when planning secondary prevention actions

Effects on walking performance and lower body strength by short message service guided training after stroke or transient ischemic attack (The STROKEWALK Study): a randomized controlled trial

Objective:To evaluate whetherdaily mobile-phone delivered messages with training instructions during three months increase physical activity and overall mobility in patients soon after stroke or transient ischemic attack.Design:Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analyses.Setting:University hospital. Data collection from November 2016 until December2018.Subjects:Seventy-nine patients (mean (SD) age 63.9 (10.4) years, 29 were women) were allocated to either intervention ( n = 40) or control group ( n = 39). Participants had to be independent (modified Ranking Scale ⩽2) and able to perform the six-minute walking test at discharge from the hospital.Interventions:The intervention group received standard care and daily mobile phone instructional text messages to perform regular outdoor walking and functional leg exercises. The control group received standard care; that is, primary care follow-up.Main measures:Walking performance by six-minute walking test (m), lower body strength by five times chair-stand test (s), the short physical performance battery (0–12 points) and 10-metres walk test (m/s) were assessed at baseline and after three months.Results:The estimated median difference in the six-minute walking test was in favour of the intervention group by 30 metres (95% CI, 55 to 1; effect size 0.64; P = 0.037) and in the chair-stand test by 0.88 seconds (95% CI, 0.02 to 1.72; effect size 0.64; P = 0.034). There were no differences between groups on the short physical performance battery or in 10-metres walking time.Conclusions:Three months of daily mobile phone text messages with guided training instructions improved composite mobility measures; that is, walking performanceand lower body strength.Clinical Trial Registry:The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02902367.</jats:sec