Association between Locomotive Syndrome and Physical Activity in Long-Term Inpatients of Psychiatric Care Wards in Japan: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the status of locomotive syndrome (LS) and the level of physical activity (PA) in long-term inpatients in a psychiatric care ward and to investigate the association between the severity of LS and the level of PA. The study participants consisted of 25 patients aged 55 years or older who had been admitted to a psychiatric care ward for more than one year. The participants’ LS stage was determined and their level of PA was measured using an accelerometer. We also analyzed the correlations between the LS stage test results, level of PA, and values for each assessment item. The LS stage test showed that 84.0% of the participants were at stages 3. The participants’ mean step count was 3089.8 ± 2346.5 steps. The participants’ mean sedentary time was 349.7 ± 68.9 min, which is more than 70% of the total measuring time. Overall, the results indicate that LS stage was significantly correlated to age, ADL, and level of PA. Patients who stay in a psychiatric care ward experience declining motor functioning and lack PA. Deterioration of motor functioning is associated with lack of PA, suggesting the need for physical intervention.