Physical Capacity and Activity in Patients With Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Introduction: Most patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) improve gait after surgery. However, knowledge on physical capacity and activity after shunt surgery is limited. One of the aims of this study was to evaluate the effect of shunt surgery in patients with iNPH on short-distance walking, functional exercise capacity, functional strength, and variables of activity and sleep, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Another aim was to evaluate the effect of a physical exercise program. Additionally, we studied how changes in short-distance walking were correlated with functional exercise capacity and voluntary walking. Methods: In total, 127 patients were consecutively included and randomized to the exercise group ( Results: All patients improved at 3 months postoperatively in the 10MWT ( Conclusion: Shunt surgery improved short-distance walking, functional exercise capacity, functional strength, and voluntary walking. An exercise program did not affect these outcomes. Short-distance walking was weakly correlated with voluntary walking, indicating improved physical capacity does not directly translate to increased physical activity. Further research should address how interventions should be tailored to promote physical activity after shunt surgery. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, Id: NCT02659111.