Brain fatigue can occur following various injuries and diseases affecting the brain, such as concussion, stroke, and certain types of dementia. Those affected experience mental fatigue combined with very slow recovery. Symptoms include stress sensitivity, sleep disturbances, headaches following mental activity, and additional mental symptoms.
– Although it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Swedes are affected by brain fatigue, there are no national guidelines or standardized methods for diagnosis and treatment, says doctoral student Gustaf Glavå.
Differences in brain activity and connectivity
Gustaf Glavå has investigated various aspects of brain function and cognitive capacity in individuals experiencing brain fatigue. Using functional brain imaging to measure how different areas of the brain are activated, as well as cognitive tests and questionnaires, he compared a group of healthy participants with people suffering from brain fatigue. The results showed that the cognitive function of the participants with brain fatigue differed from that of the healthy participants. Notably, they performed more slowly in several cognitive tests and exhibited distinct patterns of brain activity in scans. Gustaf Glavå emphasizes that the study was small-scale and that the results need to be confirmed in further research.
– Although the results of the study are preliminary, they may lead to new ways of identifying brain fatigue and provide a better understanding of the underlying causes. This, in turn, could lead to better diagnosis and treatment of brain fatigue, says Gustaf Glavå.
Two different psychological treatments have been shown to reduce symptoms
He has also evaluated two types of group psychological treatment that train participants in the technique mindfulness.
The first method is a new programme called ‘Brain Fatigue and Mindfulness’ (BF-M). This programme was specifically developed for brain fatigue, combining education about the condition with mindfulness exercises. Patients who tried the treatment reported that it alleviated symptoms and reduced anxiety. Participants also said that meeting other people with brain fatigue to exchange experiences was important, as was gaining knowledge and tools to better manage brain fatigue in everyday life.
The second type of psychological group treatment investigated was Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which has previously been shown to alleviate the symptoms of brain fatigue. However, little is known about why it helps patients. To study this, interviews were conducted, the results of which showed that participants experienced benefits similar to those of the BF-M method.
– The hope is that the thesis will increase understanding of how people with brain fatigue differ from healthy people in terms of brain function and cognition, and that, after further evaluation, the two treatment methods can be used in healthcare to rehabilitate brain fatigue, says Gustaf Glavå.
Text: Katarina Englund
