Different association between physical activity and physical function according to walking independence in hospital-based rehabilitation program patients with sub-acute stroke

Objective: To investigate the association between physical activity and physical function in ambulatory independent and non-independent patients with sub-acute stroke during hospitalization. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 107 patients with stroke admitted to a rehabilitation unit. The average daily number of steps taken was considered as physical activity. Physical function was assessed using the 6 min walk test (6MWT), lower limb Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), and Berg balance scale (BBS). Walking independence was assessed using the functional ambulation category (FAC). The subjects were divided into a walking independence group (FAC >= 4) and a non-independence group (FAC <= 3). Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the daily number of steps and physical function in each group. Results: The daily number of steps (p < 0.001), lower limb FMA (p < 0.001), 6MWT (p < 0.001), and BBS (p < 0.001) were higher in the independent walking group than in the non-walking group. The daily number of steps in the walking independence group was significantly associated with the 6MWT (standard beta = 0.489, p = 0.039). In the non-independence group, the daily number of steps was significantly associated with the BBS (standard beta = 0.594, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Physical activity was associated with walking endurance in patients with ambulatory independence, even though it was associated with balance function in patients with non-ambulatory independence.