Post-discharge sedentary behavior and light-intensity physical activity-associated stroke recurrence in patients with minor ischemic stroke: A preliminary retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Evidence regarding whether reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity levels to prevent stroke recurrence is insufficient. Therefore, this study preliminarily investigated whether post-discharge sedentary behavior and physical activity levels in patients with minor ischemic stroke were associated with stroke recurrence.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included 73 patients (aged 72.0 years) with minor ischemic stroke from a previous study. The outcome was recurrent stroke 2 years after stroke onset, assessed using medical records. Exposure factors including sedentary behavior and physical activity levels 6 months post-discharge were measured using accelerometers; patients were classified into the recurrence or non-recurrence groups. Logistic regression analyses were then conducted to determine whether sedentary behavior and physical activity 6 months after discharge were associated with stroke recurrence.

RESULTS

Six patients experienced stroke recurrence (recurrence rate, 8.2%). The recurrence group showed greater sedentary behavior (recurrence group 68.0%, non-recurrence group 52.0%, p = 0.007) and less light-intensity physical activity (LPA) (recurrence group 21.0%, non-recurrence group 37.0%, p = 0.002) than in the non-recurrence group. Logistic regression analysis showed that sedentary behavior (odds ratio = 1.083, 95% confidence interval = 1.007-1.165, p = 0.032) and LPA (odds ratio = 0.874, 95% confidence interval = 0.785-0.975, p = 0.015) were independent factors for recurrence of stroke.

DISCUSSION

Post-discharge sedentary behavior and LPA in patients with minor ischemic stroke were associated with stroke recurrence. Results suggest that reducing post-discharge sedentary behavior and increasing LPA may be crucial for reducing the risk of stroke recurrence in patients with minor ischemic stroke.