The Triad of Post-Stroke Fatigue, Cognition, and Motor Performance: A Study in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Background: In chronic stroke survivors, post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a common but underdiagnosed illness that has a major impact on recovery, motor function, and cognitive function. Comprehending these associations is crucial for focused rehabilitation tactics. Methods: 41 chronic stroke survivors between the ages of 46 and 65 participated in a cross-sectional study. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC) were among the tests used. The PHQ-9 was used to screen for depression. For data analysis, Pearson's correlation was used. Result: The findings showed that fatigue was significantly correlated negatively with walking endurance (r = -0.428, p = 0.000128), upper limb motor performance (r = -0.4389, p = 0.000082), and cognitive function (r = -0.5973, p < 0.00001). Compared to motor exhaustion, cognitive fatigue was more strongly associated with these outcomes. Discussion: According to the results, cognitive fatigue has a significant influence on both physical recovery and cognitive function in chronic stroke survivors. To enhance functional outcomes, effective rehabilitation should incorporate cognitive retraining, endurance-building exercises, and fatigue management techniques. Conclusion: Cognitive function, motor function, and endurance are all greatly impacted by post-stroke fatigue. Chronic stroke survivors' quality of life and rate of recovery can be improved by including fatigue management techniques into rehabilitation programs.