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Published on: December 16, 2022
Handling fatigue in everyday activities at five years after stroke: A long and demanding process
Gunilla Eriksson1, Ingrid Larsson2, Susanne Guidetti1
1Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
Background:
Fatigue is common and can be challenging after stroke.
Aim:
To explore how post-stroke fatigue (PSF) was experienced and handled among people with stroke in their performance of everyday activities and in participation in social activities five years after stroke.
Methods:
Nine persons who perceived PSF one year after stroke onset were interviewed five years later. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Most participants experienced PSF even five years after stroke and reported longstanding difficulties in everyday activities. Handling fatigue-a long slow process with invisible adjustments in everyday life emerged as the theme. By implementing new strategies in everyday life their PSF lessened over time. Understanding among significant others as to how PSF appears and providing information about PSF early after stroke was perceived important.
Conclusion:
This study adds new knowledge regarding experiences of PSF and long-term support needs. Even if PSF still was reported the participants experienced improvements in everyday life through the application of new strategies. Information about PSF and strategies for managing everyday life should be provided during rehabilitation.
Significance:
This study is one out of only a few focussing on long-term PSF and adjustment to its consequences in everyday life.
