Perceptions of fatigue after stroke (ReFast)
Official title: Exploration of Subjective Post-Stroke Fatigue: A Mixed-Methods Questionnaire Study (ReFast - Recovery and Fatigue Study)
Run by School of Health Sciences Geneva · NCT07444151 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see how adults in French-speaking Switzerland who have had a stroke describe, rate, and cope with ongoing fatigue using a short anonymous questionnaire.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | School of Health Sciences Geneva Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Carouge, Canton of Geneva) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 27, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | March 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07444151 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults (18+) living in French-speaking Switzerland with a confirmed single stroke, self-reported fatigue attributed to the stroke, living at home, and able to read French and complete an anonymous questionnaire.
✕Probably not a fit
People with severe cognitive or communication impairments, a history of two or more strokes, fatigue primarily caused by another chronic medical condition, or who are institutionalized are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this questionnaire-based study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
ReFast is a non-interventional, cross-sectional study conducted in French-speaking Switzerland to explore the subjective experience of post-stroke fatigue. The study will recruit about 20–30 community-dwelling adults with a confirmed single ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who report ongoing fatigue. Data are collected once via a 15–20 minute anonymous questionnaire that combines rating scales, multiple-choice items, and open-ended questions. Quantitative responses will describe presence, intensity, frequency and functional impact, while open answers will undergo inductive thematic analysis to identify coping strategies and contextual factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could improve recognition of post-stroke fatigue and help guide more targeted rehabilitation advice and support for patients and clinicians.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cross-sectional questionnaire and qualitative studies have been used to describe post-stroke fatigue experiences, so this approach is established for gathering patient perspectives though it has not produced consistent treatment breakthroughs.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older * Living in French-speaking Switzerland * Confirmed history of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke * Self-reported fatigue attributed to stroke * Living in the community (not institutionalized) * Able to read and understand written French * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Transient ischemic attack (TIA) without confirmed stroke * History of two or more strokes * Currently institutionalized (e.g., nursing home, long-term hospital care, rehabilitation center) * Fatigue primarily caused by another chronic medical condition (e.g., cancer, primary depression, multiple sclerosis) * Severe cognitive or communication impairment preventing independent completion of the questionnaire * Unable to understand written French
Where it's running
-
Haute école de santé de Genève (HEdS - HES-SO)
Carouge, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pierre Nicolo, PhD — HEdS
- Study coordinator: Pierre Nicolo, PhD
- Email: pierre.nicolo@hesge.ch
- Phone: +41079263543
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.