Effort assessment of stroke patients in physiotherapy session by accelerometry and perceived exertion score: Preliminary study

Abstract

Objective To determine whether post-stroke patient's perceived exertion correlates with effort intensity score as measured by a wearable sensor and to assess whether estimates of perceived exertion are correlated to the cerebral hemisphere involved in the stroke. Methods We evaluated the effort intensity score during physiotherapy sessions using a wearable sensor and subjects assessed their perceived exertion using the modified Borg CR10 Scale. Results Fifty-seven subacute stroke patients participated in the study. The correlation between perceived exertion rating and measured effort intensity was insignificant-mean (r=-0.04, p=0.78) and peak (r=-0.05, p=0.70). However, there was a significant difference (p < 0.02) in the perceived exertion ratings depending on the cerebral hemisphere where the stroke occurred. Patients with left-hand side lesions rated their perceived exertion as 4.5 (min-max, 0.5-8), whereas patients with right-hand side lesions rated their perceived exertion as 5.0 (2-8). Conclusion While there was an insignificant correlation between perceived exertion and effort intensity measured by a wearable sensor, a consistent variations in perceived exertion estimates according to the side of the cerebral lesion was identified and established.