title: Physical factors associated with fatigue after stroke: an exploratory study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To look for a relationship between physical fatigue and physical parameters in patients at least 3 months post stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of 32 poststroke patients (average duration of stroke 40 months) who were recruited among in- and outpatients followed by the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine of a university hospital. Fatigue was defined as a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score of 4 or more. The parameters studied were age, sex, time since stroke, Demeurisse Motor Index, Barthel Index score, new Functional Ambulation Category, Berg Balance Scale, 10-meter walk test, 6-minute walk test, Dijon Physical Activity Score, Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, presence of pain, and length and area of the center of pressure displacement obtained posturographically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-thirds of patients (65.6%) were fatigued. The mean FSS score was 4.3 ± 1.8. Fatigue was not associated with the physical parameters studied; notably, there was no correlation with motor impairment, autonomy and walking capacity, or balance and physical activity. However, after multivariate analysis, we found an association between physical fatigue and time since the occurrence of stroke (P = .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study revealed a relationship between pain and physical fatigue, as reported by 2 other studies. Poststroke fatigue management should include appropriate pain management. Further studies are necessary to determine the causes of physical fatigue after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Pôle Neurosciences - tête et cou, Hôpital J. Rebeyrol, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Chi Lan Nguyen
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hoang
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Salle
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mandigout
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hamonet
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macian-Montoro
authors.forename: Jean-Christophe
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Daviet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking