Self-efficacy and pre-stroke activity/participation combined with functional independence best explain mobility limitations after stroke: a cross-sectional, exploratory study.

BACKGROUND

The contribution of personal and environmental factors to loss of mobility after stroke is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the level of mobility after stroke and the amount of stroke-induced mobility limitations, and to estimate the magnitude of the contribution of activity limitations and contextual factors to mobility loss.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, exploratory study. The outcomes of interest were mobility limitations and stroke-induced mobility limitations. The independent variables were: age, self-efficacy, social support, pre-stroke activity/participation, functional independence, pre-stroke environmental factors, post-stroke depression and cognition.

RESULTS

A total of 209 participants (114 women) recently diagnosed with stroke ( < 7 days), with a mean age of 65 years (SD 12) were included. Mobility was 70 points out of 120 (SD 28) pre-stroke, and 32 points (SD 26) after stroke (stroke-induced mobility = 38 points; 95% CI 34 to 43). Age, self-efficacy and pre-stroke activity/participation combined with functional independence explained 57% of the variance in mobility limitations. In addition, self-efficacy and pre-stroke activity/participation combined with functional independence explained 36% of the variance in mobility limitations due to stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Mobility was reduced prior to stroke, and stroke-induced mobility contributed to 30% additional loss immediately after stroke. Self-efficacy and pre-stroke activity/participation combined with functional independence best explained mobility limitations after stroke.