Perceptions of fatigue after stroke (ReFast)
Exploration of Subjective Post-Stroke Fatigue: A Mixed-Methods Questionnaire Study (ReFast - Recovery and Fatigue Study)
School of Health Sciences Geneva · NCT07444151
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 |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | School of Health Sciences Geneva (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Carouge, Canton of Geneva) |
| Trial ID | NCT07444151 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Carouge, Canton of Geneva
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Post-stroke Fatigue, Post-Stroke Fatigue, Quality of Life, Coping Strategies, Questionnaire Study, Neurological Rehabilitation, Stroke