Post-stroke fatigue: a review on prevalence, correlates, measurement, and management

Background: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a common yet debilitating symptom for the majority of patients post-stroke. However, limited information is available for the management of this disabling condition. This is partly due to our poor understanding of the condition. Objectives: In this paper, we review the prevalence, predisposing factors, impact, measurement, and management of PSF. Results: The prevalence of PSF ranged from 29 to 70%, depending on the selected outcome measurement tools and the patient characteristics. Predisposing factors of PSF are multifactorial, including biological, physical, and psychological factors. Further, the relationships between some of the predisposing factors and PSF seem to be indirect. Conclusions: PSF has an adverse effect on the patient's quality of life, recovery, and mortality. Its impact on physical function and independence requires further investigation. There are a number of tools available to measure fatigue in neurological conditions. However, very few of them have been validated in stroke. Lastly, single-disciplinary management for PSF was rarely successful. In contrast, evidence suggests that approaches which incorporated both physical and psychological interventions may be beneficial. Further studies are urgently needed to gain a better understanding of the etiology of PSF, such that the development of better management strategies is possible.