Post Stroke Fatigue (PSF):

is a common diagnosis and can impact every part of your life.

If you have PSF, take the Fatigue Assessment Scale as a self-check. 

PSF is associated with depression, high blood pressure, heart failure, medication, eating or sleeping problems, damage to certain areas of the brain, or pain. are not just a little tired. Your body and your mind are constantly fatigued which impacts your quality of life.

According to recent research, there is no single treatment for PSF. However, the following non-drug treatments are being explored:

• Regular daily exercise stimulates the brain and can reduce PSF

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a psychotherapy that helps change unhelpful negative thoughts and behaviors that drain your energy to positive ones. Try an example of cognitive behavioral therapy by completing this Coping Styles worksheet.  

• Stress management/relaxation strategies help you to reduce the stress that drains you of your energy. Join our StrokeOT Stress Management/Relaxation group to learn more.

• Fatigue education and energy conservation strategies help you to change your daily routines to make them easier to perform.  

Reference: Wu S, Kutlubaev MA, Chun HYY, Cowey E, Pollock A, Macleod MR, Dennis M, Keane E, Sharpe M, Mead GE. Interventions for post‐stroke fatigue. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD007030. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007030.pub3.

Video Source: Australian Stroke Foundation

Fatigue Assessment Scale test

The Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) helps you identify the degree in which fatigue is impacting your daily life. Your answers are anonymous and not shared. 

Page last updated: 12/2020