How do stroke survivors and their caregivers manage post-stroke fatigue? A qualitative study.
Joanne Ablewhite, Fiona Nouri, Alice Whisker and 7 others
PMID 35770809WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors and caregivers described managing post-stroke fatigue through acceptance, pacing, rest, diaries, goals, and talking with family.
Strategies varied by person, and many said clinicians had not discussed fatigue or its management.
Key findings
01Stroke survivors and caregivers described using personal strategies such as pacing activities, resting, keeping a diary, setting small goals, and talking with family.
02Participants reported identifying strategies themselves and that healthcare professionals had not discussed post-stroke fatigue or its management.
03Caregivers reported that fatigue affected their own lives, including burden, loneliness, and isolation, and they often monitored or managed triggers for the stroke survivor.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study was qualitative, so it describes experiences and strategies, not whether any strategy reduces fatigue or improves function. Participants were UK-based, English-speaking, and recruited through social media and stroke organisations, so the sample may not represent people without internet access or from wider communities. Telephone interviews during COVID-19 limited participation by people with severe communication or cognitive problems, although aphasia support was offered. Fatigue was self-defined, and some participants were several years after stroke, so other causes of fatigue could not be separated. All caregivers were partners, and all stroke survivors had current fatigue, so findings may not apply to other caregiver relationships or people with past fatigue only. The team stopped recruitment when themes seemed repeated, but no transcripts were returned to participants for checking.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The work was funded by the Stroke Association.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that pacing, rest, diary use, or other strategies have been shown to reduce post-stroke fatigue. This study was qualitative and reported participants' experiences and strategies, not a tested intervention or measured fatigue outcome.