Fatigue after Stroke – Perspectives and Future Directions

Fatigue is a common consequence of stroke and adversely affects long-term outcomes. It is associated with a number of psychological and biological factors. Nevertheless, its mechanisms are not well understood. There may be subtypes of post-stroke fatigue e.g. primary and secondary, subjective fatigue and activity-dependent fatigability--but further research is needed to determine whether such subtypes exist. There is very limited evidence for treatment of fatigue after stroke. Psychosocial treatments and physical activity are promising method for its management. Other potentially effective treatment options include mind-body interventions, and use of psychostimulants. More research is needed in this area.