Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| [b] Department of Physical Therapy, California State University Northridge, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| [c] Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Débora Carvalho de Oliveira, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte,
Departamento de Fisioterapia, Avenida Senador Salgado Filho, 3000, Lagoa Nova, CEP: 59066-800, Natal/RN, Brazil.
Tel./Fax: +55 84 33422001; E-mail: debora_co@yahoo.com.br.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Activity levels and disturbances of the sleep-wake pattern affect health and quality of life and need to be further explored in patients with stroke. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate activity levels and their association with sleep-wake patterns in patients with stroke. METHODS:Ten adults with (51±6 years) and 10 without stroke (52±7 years) participated in the study; they were matched on age, sex and educational level. Neurological status, motor function, sleep quality, and activity levels were measured. The groups were compared using Student t-tests and the association between the measures was assessed using Pearson’s correlation. RESULTS:Compared to people without stroke, those with stroke had worse sleep quality (p = 0.044), twice lower 24h-activity levels (p < 0.0001), higher interdaily stability and intradaily variability, lower activity during the most active 10 h and during the least active 5 h. Sleep quality was associated with activity level (r= –0.72) and with within-day activity variability (r= 0.53). CONCLUSIONS:Activity level and fragmentation are associated with sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality in patients with stroke.
