RESUMO
Purpose: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a debilitating condition that negatively impacts the quality of life of stroke survivors. The rehabilitation of stroke survivors is important for their quality of life, and rehabilitation programs that cater to the needs of these patients are required. However, there is very little published information on their needs, especially in the Middle East. Therefore, this study aimed to explore stroke survivors' perceptions and experiences of PSF and its causes, its impact on their daily life, their coping strategies, and support from physicians and caregivers in the context of Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: This qualitative interview study was conducted with eight post-stroke survivors from two tertiary stroke centers in Saudi Arabia. Results: The responses in the interviews showed high heterogeneity. From the responses, five main themes and several subthemes were generated: (1) description of PSF as both a physical and psychological experience; (2) perceived causes of PSF (physical causes, psychological causes, and stroke-related causes); (3) impact of PSF on daily life (activities of daily living and social interactions); (4) coping strategies for PSF (pacing, self-motivation, and social participation); and (5) perspectives about support from caregivers and healthcare practitioners (lack of support, provision of information about PSF and its management, physiotherapy interventions, encouragement, and overprotectiveness). Conclusion: Stroke survivors have variable physical and psychological experiences of PSF and variable perceptions of its causes and impact. High heterogeneity was also noted in the perception of support provided by healthcare providers and families or caregivers-ranging from lack of support to overprotection. Similarly, patients' perceptions of the role of physiotherapy and their attitude towards physiotherapy were also variable. Despite this, the findings do highlight the need for more individualized understanding of PSF and the development of treatment strategies that consider biological, psychological, and social factors.
RESUMO
Background and Objectives: Post-Stroke Fatigue (PSF) is a complex, multidimensional, debilitating condition that affects almost half of all stroke survivors. This study explored the perceptions of physiatrists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists about PSF and their experiences in managing patients with PSF in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from three different groups: eight physiotherapists (PTs), eight occupational therapists (OTs), and eight physiatrists (DRs). Using purposive sampling, participants with at least one year of experience in the field of PSF management were invited to take part. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-four health care participants (eight PTs, eight OTs, eight DRs) were recruited. Five overarching themes encompassing various subthemes and sub-subthemes were generated: 'knowledge about post-stroke fatigue', 'diagnosing post-stroke fatigue', 'treatment approach', 'lack of awareness about post-stroke fatigue', and 'domains to improve'. The data indicated that participants used various strategies to manage PSF, including dietary changes, sleep hygiene, exercise, and energy conservation. Conclusions: Participants acknowledged that they lacked PSF-related management skills, despite possessing adequate knowledge about the management of stroke. Their openness to participating in activities that would improve their ability to diagnose and manage PSF was particularly striking.
