Body composition in stroke patients is negatively affected on both the affected and unaffected sides, characterized by increased fat mass and decreased muscle mass, which may contribute to post-stroke fatigue and reduced functional independence and mobility.
Key Findings
Results
Stroke patients had significantly higher total, upper extremity, and trunk fat percentages compared with healthy controls.
Twenty-one stroke patients and 21 healthy controls participated in the case-control study.
Differences in fat percentages were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Body composition was measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).
Fat accumulation was observed on both the affected and unaffected sides of stroke patients.
Results
Stroke patients exhibited greater fatigue compared with healthy controls.
Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).
The difference in fatigue between stroke patients and healthy controls was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
The study included 21 stroke patients and 21 healthy controls.
Results
Healthy controls demonstrated higher muscle mass and bone mass than stroke patients.
Differences in muscle mass and bone mass were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Decreased muscle mass was observed in stroke patients on both the affected and unaffected sides.
Body composition was assessed via Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).
Results
Healthy controls showed higher mobility and functional independence compared to stroke patients.
Mobility was assessed with the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and functional status with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM).
Differences in mobility and functional independence were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
The study sample comprised 21 stroke patients and 21 healthy controls.
Results
No significant differences were found in body weight, BMI, or total body water between stroke patients and healthy controls.
Comparisons of body weight, BMI, and total body water yielded p > 0.05.
This indicates that overall body weight and hydration status were similar between groups despite differences in body composition components.
These findings suggest that BMI alone may be insufficient to detect body composition changes following stroke.
Çelik R, Baskan E, Dengiz A. (2026). Body Composition, Fatigue, Mobility, and Functional Status in Individuals With Stroke: A Case-Control Study With Healthy Controls.. Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.70190