Comparison of Inpatients' Physical Activity between Pre and Post Discharge to Home

Abstract

Increasing inpatients' physical activity is an important aim of rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity and to compare it pre- and post-discharge. Twenty inpatients discharged to home participated in this study. A portable accelerometer was used to measure physical activity. The measurement of physical activity was continued for 24 hours. We used three channels (0.05 G, 0.15 G, 0.2 G acceleration). Total counts of each channel were regarded as physical activity. We analyzed physical activity of 24 hours and physical activity at time intervals. We also investigated subjective activity, fatigue and aggravation of patients' pain. Physical activity of post-discharge was significantly higher than pre-discharge. Especially, physical activity after dinner was significant higher. In addition most participants complained of fatigue and aggravation of their pain. The results suggest that it is important to increase inpatients' physical activity to smoothly transition to home. In addition it is important to increase patients' physical strength before discharve.