Mapping physical activity patterns in hospitalised patients with moderate to severe acquired brain injury - MAP-ABI: Protocol for an observational study

Heliyon, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21927 · Published: November 8, 2023

Neurorehabilitation Rehabilitation Brain Injury

Simple Explanation

This study aims to understand how much physical activity patients with moderate to severe acquired brain injuries get during their hospital rehabilitation. It will use wearable activity trackers to measure their movements and identify factors that influence their activity levels. The study will track patients' physical activity at two different times during their hospital stay: early on and closer to discharge. By comparing these measurements, researchers hope to see if activity levels change over time and if they are linked to better recovery outcomes. The findings could help improve rehabilitation programs by showing how to encourage more movement and physical activity among brain injury patients, potentially leading to better recovery.

Study Duration

November 2022 until 100 patients are included

Participants

Patients ≥18 years of age admitted to rehabilitation after moderate to severe acquired brain injury

Evidence Level

Observational study

Key Findings

1
The primary objective of this study is to characterise mobility and physical activity levels in patients with moderate to severe acquired brain injury using four prespecified physical activity levels (physically active, physically sedentary, physically inactive, and sleep) at the early and late phases of hospital rehabilitation.
2
Secondly, we will investigate which factors are associated with a higher physical activity level at the early and late phases of admission.
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Lastly, we will investigate whether the level of physical activity at the early admission phase is associated with better functional outcomes at discharge.

Research Summary

This observational study aims to map and quantify physical activity patterns in patients admitted to brain injury rehabilitation using wearable activity trackers. The study will investigate factors associated with activity levels and whether early physical activity is associated with functional outcome at discharge. Data from this study may inform trials investigating physical rehabilitation interventions and help identify patients at risk of being physically inactive.

Practical Implications

Informing Rehabilitation Strategies

The study's findings can help tailor rehabilitation programs to encourage more movement and physical activity, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Guiding Future Research

The data can be used to design and conduct randomized clinical trials, informing the expected physical activity levels in control groups.

Identifying At-Risk Patients

The study may help predict which patients are at risk of physical inactivity, allowing for targeted interventions to improve their rehabilitation.

Study Limitations

1
The design is an observational study, which is prone to bias.
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The study may also be at risk of losing data if the adhesiveness of the monitors is reduced over time, and they consequently fall off.
3
Non-randomised trials are prone to bias for several reasons

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