Exploring Strategies Used Following a Group-Based Fatigue Management Programme for People with Multiple Sclerosis (FACETS) via the Fatigue Management Strategies Questionnaire (FMSQ)
Date
Authors
Thomas, S
Kersten, P
Thomas, PW
Slingsby, V
Nock, A
Jones, R
Smith, AD
Galvin, KT
Baker, R
Hillier, C
Supervisor
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Journal Article
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Publisher
BMJ
Abstract
Objectives: To explore cross-sectional patterns of use of fatigue management strategies in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who had attended a groupbased fatigue management programme, Fatigue: Applying Cognitive behavioural and Energy effectiveness Techniques to lifeStyle ('FACETS'). In a multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) the FACETS programme was shown to reduce fatigue severity and improve self-efficacy and quality of life. Design: A questionnaire substudy within a RCT involving the self-completed Fatigue Management Strategies Questionnaire (FMSQ). The FMSQ includes: (1) closed questions about the use and helpfulness of fatigue management strategies taught in FACETS and (2) open items about changes to lifestyle, attitudes or expectations, barriers or difficulties encountered and helpful strategies not covered in FACETS. Participants: All had a clinical diagnosis of MS, significant fatigue, were ambulatory and had attended at least 4 of 6 scheduled FACETS sessions. Methods: Participants (n=72) were posted the FMSQ with a prepaid return envelope 4 months after the end of the FACETS programme. Results: 82% (59/72) of participants returned the FMSQ. The fatigue management strategies most frequently used since attending FACETS were prioritisation (80%), pacing (78%), saying no to others (78%), grading tasks (75%) and challenging unhelpful thoughts (71%). Adding in those participants who were already using the respective strategies prior to FACETS, the three most used strategies at 4 months were prioritisation (55/59), grading (54/59) and pacing (53/58). Free-text comments illustrated the complex interplay between attitudes/expectations, behaviours, emotions and the environment. Issues related to expectations featured strongly in participants' comments. Expectations (from self and others) were both facilitators and barriers to effective fatigue management. Conclusions: Individuals' comments highlighted the complex, multifaceted nature of fatigue management. Revising expectations and a greater acceptance of fatigue were important shifts following the programme. Findings support the relevance of a cognitive behavioural approach for fatigue management. Booster sessions might be a useful addition to the FACETS programme.Description
Keywords
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH, 4203 Health Services and Systems, 42 Health Sciences, Autoimmune Disease, Clinical Research, Neurodegenerative, Brain Disorders, Neurosciences, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, Multiple Sclerosis, 7.1 Individual care needs, Neurological, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences, 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences, 42 Health sciences, 52 Psychology
Source
BMJ Open, ISSN: 2044-6055 (Print); 2044-6055 (Online), BMJ, 5(10), e008274-. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008274
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This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/