Chronic Fatigue Etiology in Intensive Care Unit Survivors: the Role of Neuromuscular Function

Chronic Fatigue Etiology in Intensive Care Unit Survivors: the Role of Neuromuscular Function

Chronic fatigue is the most common and debilitating symptom in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors. Indeed, it has been widely reported that patients who stayed in ICU for prolonged periods report a feeling of tiredness for months to years after ICU discharge. This chronic fatigue affects their quality of life by decreasing their capacity to perform simple tasks of daily life.

The aim of the present project is to determine whether deteriorated neuromuscular function (i.e. increased fatigability) is involved in this feeling of chronic fatigue. Because the causes of this feeling are multi-dimensional, a large battery of tests will allow us to better understand the origin of chronic fatigue. A better knowledge of chronic fatigue etiology will allow to optimize rehabilitation treatments to decrease the apparition/persistence of chronic fatigue and in fine improve life quality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have been ventilated for at least 72 hours in the intensive care unit
• IGS2 score (severity in resuscitation) > 15
• FACIT-F (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue) score ≥ 36 or a score ≤ 32
• intensive care unit discharge in ≥ 6 months and ≤ 5 years preceding the study
• Approval received from a physician
• Command of the French language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Taking neuroactive substances that can alter corticospinal excitability
• Contraindication to the application of a magnetic field
• Contraindication to the practice of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Participant is pregnant
• Patients with psychiatric disorders
• Paraplegic and hemiplegic patients
• Addictive disorders