Review articleMonitoring of Physical Activity After Stroke: A Systematic Review of Accelerometry-Based Measures
Section snippets
Definition of Review Questions
We systematically reviewed the literature regarding the use of accelerometry in stroke research to address the following questions: (1) Which clinimetric properties are investigated and what are these properties? (2) What is the clinical relevance/applicability of accelerometry-based measurements in stroke research?
In order to answer to these questions, we reviewed all studies dealing with accelerometry in patients with stroke that fulfilled the following inclusion and exclusion criteria. In
Results
Despite the fact that most articles reported on clinical trials, only 4 of the 25 selected articles had a randomized controlled trial design.21, 22, 23, 24 In order to discuss the clinical applicability of accelerometry, an overview of correlations between accelerometry and laboratory tests/questionnaires was given as well as a description of the clinimetric properties of accelerometry in different settings.
To facilitate reading, the Results section is divided into 3 major parts. The first part
Discussion
Before discussing the articles in the same order as presented in the Results section, shortcomings that apply to all 3 subdivisions are discussed. Many studies reported on small sample sizes potentially leading to the studies being underpowered.8, 23, 26, 34, 37 A problem related to the small sample sizes was the rigorous inclusion of patients with stroke, which diminished the generalizability of the presented results.
Normally, when a test-retest reliability is examined, one will expect to read
Conclusions
The literature concerning accelerometry incorporated into stroke research is young, limiting our ability to draw consistent conclusions. Nonetheless, the available evidence suggests that accelerometers yield valid and reliable data about the physical activity of patients with stroke. Accelerometers were generally experienced as user-friendly with limited burden for the patients. Accelerometry can be used in different settings (at home, hospital, community) and throughout the different stages of
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Supported by the Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen, Belgium (grant no. G817), and the Methusalem Excellence Grant of the Flemish government.
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit on the authors or on any organization with which the authors are associated.
Reprints are not available from the author.