Fatigue in adults with cerebral palsy: A three-year follow-up study

Abstract

People with cerebral palsy are often tired and may complain about fatigue. In this study we describe the development of fatigue over a mean period of 3 years. We found that fatigue is more or less stable over time on a group level. On an individual level there can be important changes, both increases and decreases in fatigue-related symptoms. We did not find any known risk factors for fatigue (for example body mass index, age) to be predictive of change in fatigue over time. We learned that adults with CP, who experience fatigue, are likely to remain fatigued in the future. We therefore think it is important for care providers to monitor and talk about fatigue with adults with CP. We would suggest care providers begin this discussion at a much younger a e to influence fati ue later in life.