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Retrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between Poststroke Fatigue and Aphasia Severity
Ellyn A Riley1, Yina M Quique2, Katarina L Haley3
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|July 14, 2026
Summary
People with milder aphasia experience more post-stroke fatigue. This suggests hidden cognitive costs in mild aphasia, highlighting the need for fatigue screening in all individuals with aphasia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Post-stroke fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom affecting individuals with aphasia.
- Understanding the relationship between aphasia severity and fatigue is crucial for effective management.
- Current research lacks comprehensive characterization of fatigue in people with aphasia (PWA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize post-stroke fatigue in PWA.
- To investigate the association between aphasia severity and fatigue levels.
- To explore potential contributing factors to fatigue in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional observational study involving 73 adults with chronic post-stroke aphasia.
- Aphasia severity assessed using the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R).
- Fatigue measured using the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) Global Fatigue Index (GFI).
Main Results:
- Participants reported moderate fatigue across severity, distress, interference, and timing dimensions, with significant individual variability.
- Higher WAB-R scores (indicating milder aphasia) were significantly associated with greater reported fatigue.
- Age and gender were not found to be significant predictors of fatigue.
Conclusions:
- Milder aphasia is associated with a greater burden of post-stroke fatigue.
- Compensatory cognitive demands and communication expectations in milder aphasia may increase fatigue.
- Routine fatigue screening is recommended for all PWA, recognizing potential hidden costs in mild aphasia.