Circadian activity rhythm and fragmentation are associated with sleep-wake patterns and sleep quality in patients with stroke

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.