Accelerometry in early sub-acute stroke patients – quantitative spontaneous motor activity displays improvement in rehabilitation progress

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and practicability of accelerometric measurement of the upper limb in early sub-acute stroke patients to display possible improvement during rehabilitation.Participants: 47 sub-acute stroke patients with severe (mean NIHSS 14±6) motor deficits were recruited within the early phase of rehabilitation (mean 5th day post stroke onset). Interventions: Spontaneous arm activity of the upper extremities was measured by means of an accelerometer at the beginning and at two predefined time points, i.e., the beginning and end of a two week time period and c…