Post‐stroke fatigue, hope and discharge readiness: A cross‐sectional survey

Abstract Aims and Objectives To explore the relationships among post‐stroke fatigue, hope and discharge readiness in stroke patients, and to determine whether hope mediates the relationship between post‐stroke fatigue and discharge readiness. Background In stroke patients, inadequate discharge readiness has been found to correlate with higher readmission and mortality rates. Although previous qualitative studies have confirmed the impact of fatigue on discharge readiness, few studies explore the impact of post‐stroke fatigue and hope on discharge readiness of stroke patients. Consequently, the current research on this relationship and its underlying mechanisms is still quite limited. Design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Data were collected from 340 stroke patients. The research tools included demographic and disease characteristics, Discharge Readiness Assessment Scale for Stroke, Neurological Fatigue Index for Stroke and Herth Hope Index. The STROBE checklist was used to guide the presentation of this study. Results Discharge readiness was negatively correlated with post‐stroke fatigue and positively correlated with hope. Additionally, post‐stroke fatigue was negatively correlated with hope. Post‐stroke fatigue had a direct negative effect on discharge readiness, and it can also generate indirect effects through hope. Hope was the partial mediator between post‐stroke fatigue and discharge readiness, explaining 55.8% of the total effect. Conclusion Discharge readiness of this population can be improved by reducing post‐stroke fatigue and increasing hope. Therefore, effective management of post‐stroke fatigue and hope will help improve discharge readiness. Relevance to Clinical Practice It is recommended that nursing staff should monitor the occurrence and development of post‐stroke fatigue in stroke patients, dynamically evaluate the patient's level of hope, and pay attention to the important role of positive psychological qualities in the outcome of discharge. If medical staff can formulate corresponding intervention measures based on the influence path of discharge readiness, then the discharge readiness of stroke patients can be improved.