Photo Credit: VYCHEGZHANINA

The following is a summary of “Trajectories of physical activity after ischaemic stroke: Exploring prediction of change,” published in the November 2024 issue of Neurology by Damsbo et al.     

Physical activity (PA) is linked to reduced risk of stroke and improved functional outcomes, but many individuals recovering from a stroke experience persistently low levels of PA.  

Researchers conducted a prospective study to identify predictors of PA change after a first-time ischemic stroke.  

They assessed pre-stroke and 6-month post-stroke PA using the PA Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Predictors included clinical data, demographics, and socioeconomic status (SES). Changes in PASE scores were analyzed using mixed models of repeated measures. Elastic net regression models were applied to predict decreases to the lowest PASE quartile or increases.  

The results showed 523 patients with first-time ischemic stroke with a median age of 69 years, IQR], of 59–77, 35% female, and a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 3 (IQR, 2–5). Overall PASE scores did not change significantly, but 20% of patients shifted to the lowest PASE quartile, while 48% increased to higher quartiles, SES factors consistently predicted PA changes, with the area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) values of 0.679 for PA decrease and 0.619 for increase.  

They concluded that SES factors were critical predictors of PA changes after a first-time ischemic stroke, and interventions should target all survivors of stroke to enhance PA levels and prevent declines.  

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ene.16545