Table 1 Some examples of the features of post-stroke fatigue, as described by patients, grouped according to the thematic framework derived from MS
From: Validation of the Neurological Fatigue Index for stroke (NFI-Stroke)
MS Framework | Stroke quotations |
|---|---|
Subjective experience | Basically just tiredness to the point where you’re worn out. Tired. Done in. |
Tiredness all the time… Its just tiredness, constant tiredness | |
Shattered. No energy. Whacked out. Weary. | |
motor | It just takes it out your body. You just want to lie down and you’re drained. |
If I do anything, you know, anything physical. Or go to the shops. Really shatters me. | |
cognitive | I’m still not reading…I can’t concentrate on it. |
It feels, sort, of, my eyes start going cos I’ve got to concentrate on the story. | |
motivation, energy and need to rest | If I know I’ve got something to do, I’m quite happy to get on and do it. But if I know its not that day then I’m tired and I can’t be bothered doing it… |
But my fatigue is, when I get home here in my bedroom, I sort of give in then | |
ll take my son to school, get back in the car and go home and I’ll go straight back to bed for a few hours. But if I’m busy of a morning, I’ll go to bed at lunchtime | |
Sleep and behavioural response | I’m really tired and just want to go to bed and sleep and not bother with anything |
Yes, well then the tiredness takes over. Basically I want to stay sitting down then and I’m weary | |
Sometimes you feel like when you do get up you’re tired more’ |