Joanne Ablewhite1, Fiona Nouri1, Alice Whisker2, Shirley Thomas2, Fiona Jones3, Roshan das Nair4, Laura Condon2, Amanda Jones5, Nikola Sprigg6, Avril Drummond1. 1. School of Health Sciences, 6123University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. 2. School of Medicine, 6123University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. 3. Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Kingston University and St Georges University of London, London, UK. 4. Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology, Institute of Mental Health, 6123University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. 5. Q1 Ward, 105629Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. 6. Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Health Sciences, 6123University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to gain insight into the lived experiences of using day-to-day strategies to manage post-stroke fatigue. DESIGN: Qualitative, descriptive study. SETTING: Community telephone interviews. PARTICIPANTS: A purposive sample of 20 stroke survivors with current, or previous, post-stroke fatigue, and 8 caregivers, who provided informal care or support, were recruited. MAIN MEASURES: Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken. Data were analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS: Most participants had found their own ways of coping and their personal strategies included acceptance of having fatigue; 'pacing' (spreading activities out and interspersing with rest periods); keeping a diary in order to plan activities and to identify 'trigger' activities which induced fatigue; talking to (and educating) others about having fatigue; using relaxation; and accessing professional advice and support. The burden placed on caregivers was considerable and they often had to oversee the post-stroke fatigue management strategies used. CONCLUSIONS: Post-stroke fatigue is managed in different ways and there was not one particular strategy that seemed effective for everyone. Most people in our study had had to devise their own ways of coping practically. Given the scale of this problem, which profoundly impacts the lives of both stroke survivors and caregivers, the management of post-stroke fatigue merits more attention and evaluation. However, this must be directly informed by those with lived experience.
OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to gain insight into the lived experiences of using day-to-day strategies to manage post-stroke fatigue. DESIGN: Qualitative, descriptive study. SETTING: Community telephone interviews. PARTICIPANTS: A purposive sample of 20 stroke survivors with current, or previous, post-stroke fatigue, and 8 caregivers, who provided informal care or support, were recruited. MAIN MEASURES: Semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken. Data were analysed using a framework approach. RESULTS: Most participants had found their own ways of coping and their personal strategies included acceptance of having fatigue; 'pacing' (spreading activities out and interspersing with rest periods); keeping a diary in order to plan activities and to identify 'trigger' activities which induced fatigue; talking to (and educating) others about having fatigue; using relaxation; and accessing professional advice and support. The burden placed on caregivers was considerable and they often had to oversee the post-stroke fatigue management strategies used. CONCLUSIONS: Post-stroke fatigue is managed in different ways and there was not one particular strategy that seemed effective for everyone. Most people in our study had had to devise their own ways of coping practically. Given the scale of this problem, which profoundly impacts the lives of both stroke survivors and caregivers, the management of post-stroke fatigue merits more attention and evaluation. However, this must be directly informed by those with lived experience.
Authors: Krista L Lanctôt; M Patrice Lindsay; Eric E Smith; Demetrios J Sahlas; Norine Foley; Gord Gubitz; Melissa Austin; Kristyn Ball; Sanjit Bhogal; Treena Blake; Nathan Herrmann; David Hogan; Aisha Khan; Stewart Longman; Andrea King; Carol Leonard; Tricia Shoniker; Trudy Taylor; Moira Teed; Andrea de Jong; Anita Mountain; Leanne K Casaubon; Dar Dowlatshahi; Richard H Swartz Journal: Int J Stroke Date: 2019-06-21 Impact factor: 5.266
Authors: Simiao Wu; Mansur A Kutlubaev; Ho-Yan Y Chun; Eileen Cowey; Alex Pollock; Malcolm R Macleod; Martin Dennis; Elizabeth Keane; Michael Sharpe; Gillian E Mead Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2015-07-02
Authors: Bo Norrving; Jon Barrick; Antoni Davalos; Martin Dichgans; Charlotte Cordonnier; Alla Guekht; Kursad Kutluk; Robert Mikulik; Joanna Wardlaw; Edo Richard; Darius Nabavi; Carlos Molina; Philip M Bath; Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen; Anthony Rudd; Avril Drummond; Anna Planas; Valeria Caso Journal: Eur Stroke J Date: 2018-10-29