Post-stroke fatigue interventions for stroke survivors: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a prevalent complication affecting stroke survivor rehabilitation and quality of life.
• The optimal intervention strategies for managing PSF remain largely undefined.
• Early intervention is crucial for mitigating PSF's negative impacts and promoting recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of interventions for post-stroke fatigue (PSF).
• To provide healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidance for developing optimal PSF treatments.
• To explore and chart the landscape of available PSF management strategies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across six major databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, CNKI) from January 2012 to May 2024.
• Adherence to PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines and PCC framework for study selection.
• Inclusion of 27 studies, with data presented via tables and narrative descriptions.

Main Results:

• Twenty-seven studies identified ten categories of PSF interventions: pharmacological, physical activity, physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, respiratory training, music therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, health education, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and environmental enrichment.
• Interventions demonstrated positive effects in reducing fatigue symptoms.
• No single intervention strategy was identified as definitively superior, indicating a need for further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Various interventions show promise for alleviating post-stroke fatigue (PSF).
• Multidisciplinary collaboration and personalized care plans are vital for effective PSF management.
• Future research should prioritize larger sample sizes and multicenter trials to establish definitive treatment guidelines for PSF.