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Objective: To assess (i) the impact of self-reported fatigue on functioning in daily life, and (ii) the association with sociodemographics, physical capacity, and work ability among people with post-COVID-19. Design: A cross-sectional study. Subjects: Adults reporting post-COVID-19 symptoms for at least 2 months. Methods: Participants were recruited through social media and responded to an online survey between October 2021 and February 2022 regarding sociodemographics, COVID-19 symptoms, comorbidities, physical and mental fatigue, aerobic capacity, and work ability. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used. Results: A total of 614 participants (88% women, mean age 47 years, on average 13 months of symptoms) were included. A majority (≥ 84%) reported both physical fatigue and mental fatigue, according to the Fatigue Severity Scale and Mental Fatigue Scale. The fatigue impacted motivation, physical functioning, work, family, or social life, and increased sensitivity to stress and concentration difficulties. Among the factors, work ability had the strongest association with both physical fatigue and mental fatigue; odds ratio: 0.650 and 0.473, p

Objective: To investigate (i) to what extent physiotherapists (PTs) working in stroke rehabilitation in various parts of the stroke care chain have implemented interventions according to the national guidelines for stroke (NGS), (ii) facilitating and hindering factors for the implementation, and (iii) differences between various care settings. Design: A cross-sectional study. Subjects: 148 PTs working in stroke rehabilitation in various parts of the care chain in Sweden. Methods: Data were collected by a web-based survey. Results: Task-specific training for walking (80–98%), impaired motor function (64–100%) and fall prevention (73–92%) were most implemented. Factors that facilitated implementation were: important to comply with the NGS, that PTs had confidence to perform the interventions, and that interventions were clearly described. Limited time, lack of resources, no clear goals or routines at the workplace hindered the implementation. Significant differences (p

Objective: To explore the associations between fatigue impact and (a) personal and stroke-related characteristics, (b) functional impairments and (c) work-related factors among individuals who have returned to work after stroke. Design: A cross-sectional exploratory study. Subjects: 87 working stroke survivors. Methods: This study comprises data from a postal survey targeting work ability and perceived stroke-related consequences 1 year after stroke. Fatigue was evaluated using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Factors associated with having fatigue (FSS total score ≥ 4) were identified using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Three domain-specific multivariable models and 1 final combined model were created. Results: Fatigue was reported by 43% of the participants. Several factors representing all the investigated domains were associated with fatigue. In the final combined regression model, self-perceived low cognitive functioning, low decision control at work and high quantitative job demands had the strongest independent effects on the odds of having fatigue. Conclusion: Among people who were working 1 year after stroke, fatigue was associated with both personal and stroke-related characteristics as well as functional impairments and work-related factors. This highlights the complex nature of post-stroke fatigue. Fatigue management interventions should have a comprehensive approach and also consider the work environment.

Objective: To explore how persons who have returned to work perceive their work situation and work ability one year after stroke. Design: Cross-sectional design. Subjects: A total of 88 persons of working age (mean age 52 (standard deviation; SD 8) years, 36% women), with mild to moderate disabilities following stroke, who had returned to work within one year after stroke participated in the study. Methods: A survey including a questionnaire regarding psychological and social factors at work (QPS Nordic) and 4 questions from the Work Ability Index (WAI) was posted to the participants. Results: According to the QPS Nordic survey, 69–94% of respondents perceived their work duties as well defined, and were content with their work performance. Most participants had good social support at work and at home. Between 51% and 64% of respondents reported that they seldom felt stressed at work, seldom had to work overtime, or that work demands seldom interfered with family life. According to the WAI ≥75% of respondents perceived their work ability as sufficient, and they were rather sure that they would still be working 2 years ahead. Conclusion: Persons who have returned to work within one year after stroke appear to be content with their work situation and work ability. Appreciation at work, well-defined and meaningful work duties and support seem to be important for a sustainable work situation

Objective: To assess the occurrence of self-reported fatigue among men and women who have returned to work after stroke, and the association between 2 fatigue rating scales. Design: A cross-sectional study. Subjects: A total of 91 adults (58 men/33 women, mean age 53 years) with mild to moderate disability. Methods: Questionnaires were posted to participants approximately one year after stroke. Fatigue was assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS). Results: In total, 58% of the women and 33% of the men reported fatigue on the FSS (total score ≥ 4), and 46% of the women and 28% of the men reported mental fatigue on the MFS (total score ≥ 10.5). Being easily fatigued, decreased motivation, mental fatigability and sensitivity to stress were the most reported problems. FSS and MFS were moderately associated (rho 0.517–0.732). Conclusion: Fatigue is common among persons who have returned to work after stroke, and interferes with daily life. The long-term consequences of fatigue should be addressed after stroke, especially in women. The FSS and the MFS can be used in combination, as they provide information on different aspects of fatigue.

Objective: To explore stroke survivors’ experiences of healthcare-related facilitators and barriers concerning return to work after stroke. Design: A qualitative study. Setting: Outpatient stroke rehabilitation unit at a University Hospital in southern Sweden. Participants: A convenient sample of 20 persons admitted to Skåne University Hospital for acute stroke care (median age 52 years), in employment of at least 10 h per week at stroke onset and having been referred to stroke rehabilitation within 180 days. Methods: The interviews were performed by focus groups, and the data were analysed by content analysis. Results: Facilitating factors were a tailored rehabilitation content with relevant treatments, adequate timing and a structured stepwise return-to-work process. A lack of sufficient early healthcare information, rehabilitation planning and coordination were perceived as barriers. An early rehabilitation plan, a contact person, and improved communication between rehabilitation actors were requested, as well as help with work transport, home care, children and psychosocial support for families. Conclusion: Tailored rehabilitation content and a structured stepwise return-to-work process facilitated return to work. Insufficient structure within the healthcare system and lack of support in daily life were perceived barriers to return to work, and need to be improved. These aspects should be considered in the return-to-work process after stroke.

Objective: To determine how much people with late effects of polio are bothered by various impairments and their influence on everyday life. Design: A mixed-methods design. Subjects/patients: Seven women and 7 men (mean age 70 years) with late effects of polio. Methods: Self-reported Impairments in Persons with late effects of Polio (SIPP) scale and face-to-face interviews. In SIPP, the participants rated, from 1 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), how much they had been bothered by late effects of polio-related impairments. Qualitative data were analysed using systematic text condensation. Each quotation was deductively analysed based on its conceptual representation regarding perceived influence on everyday life. Results: Participants were most bothered by muscle and/or joint pain during physical activity, muscle weakness and general fatigue, which corresponded with the number of interview quotations. The impairments negatively influenced daily life, such as household chores, walking, riding a bicycle and social participation. Increased impairments and reduced functioning on the less-affected side also caused worry and distress. Conclusion: Common late effects of polio-related impairments greatly affected participants’ activity and participation. By using both the SIPP scale and face-to-face interviews, an increased understanding of how late effects of polio-related impairments influence everyday life was achieved.

Objective: To evaluate the test–retest reliability of the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) and the association between items in individuals with chronic stroke. Design: Test–retest design. Subjects: Forty-five individuals (mean age 65 years) with mild to moderate disability at least 6 months post-stroke. Methods: LiSat-11, which includes 1 global item ”Life as a whole” and 10 domain-specific items, was rated on 2 occasions, one week apart. Test–retest reliability was evaluated by kappa statistics, the percent agreement (PA) and the Svensson rank-invariant method. The association between items was evaluated with the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rho). Results: The kappa coefficients showed good to excellent agreement (0.59–0.97) and the PA ≤ 1 point was high (> 89%) for all items. According to the Svensson method, a small systematic disagreement was found for “Partner relationship”. The other items showed no systematic or random disagreements. All domain-specific items, except one (“Sexual life”) were significantly correlated with “Life as a whole” (rhos 0.29–0.80). Conclusion: LiSat-11 is considered reliable and can be recommended for assessing life satisfaction after stroke. The association between items indicates that LiSat-11 measures various aspects that can impact on an individual’s life satisfaction.

Objective: To describe stroke survivors’ experiences of sensory impairment in the upper limb, the influence of such impairment on daily life, coping strategies used, and sensory training for the affected hand. Design: A qualitative study with a content analysis approach. Subjects: Fifteen post-stroke patients interviewed individually. Results: Five categories emerged from the data: “Changed and varied perception of the sensation”; “Affected movement control”; “Problems using the hand in daily life”; “Various strategies to cope with upper limb disability”; and “Lack of sensory training”. Numbness and tingling, changes in temperature sensitivity, and increased sensitivity to touch and pain were reported. Many subjects had difficulty adjusting their grip force and performing movements with precision. It was problematic and mentally fatiguing managing personal care and carrying out household and leisure activities. Practical adaptations, compensation with vision, increased concentration, and use of the less affected hand were strategies used to overcome difficulties. Despite their problems very few subjects had received any specific sensory training for the hand. Conclusion: Stroke survivors perceive that sensory impairment of the upper limb has a highly negative impact on daily life, but specific rehabilitation for the upper limb is lacking. These findings imply that the clinical management of upper limb sensory impairment after stroke requires more attention.

Objective: To explore how persons with late effects of polio experience falls and what strategies they use to manage the consequences of falls. Design: A qualitative study with face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed by systematic text condensation. Participants: Fourteen ambulatory persons (7 women; mean age 70 years) with late effects of polio. Results: Analysis resulted in one main theme, “Everyday life is a challenge to avoid the consequences of falls”, and 3 categories with 7 subcategories. Participants perceived that falls were unpredictable and could occur anywhere. Even slightly uneven surfaces could cause a fall, and increased impairments following late effects of polio led to reduced movement control and an inability to adjust balance quickly. Physical injuries were described after the falls, as well as emotional and psychological reactions, such as embarrassment, frustration and fear of falling. Assistive devices, careful planning and strategic thinking were strategies to prevent falls, together with adaptation and social comparisons to mitigate the emotional reactions. Conclusion: Experiences of falls greatly affect persons with late effects of polio in daily life. To reduce falls and fall-related consequences both problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies are used. In order to increase daily functioning, these findings should be included in a multifaceted falls management programme.