AOTA

Earn CE Credit With AJOT Articles!

Learn about tested treatment strategies by reading AJOT articles in your area of practice. Become an evidence-based practitioner and demonstrate your knowledge by passing the course exam.  Articles have been selected for their relevance to practice, fresh ideas, and strong evidence supporting treatment and the distinct value of OT.

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE. We assessed the impact of a one-to-one fatigue management course on participants’ fatigue, self-efficacy, quality of life, and energy conservation behaviors.

METHOD. This observational study used a one-group, pretest–posttest, follow-up design. Forty-nine people with chronic conditions and fatigue participated in the one-to-one fatigue management course in outpatient and community-based settings. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue Scale was used to measure fatigue; the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General measured quality of life; and the Self Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment was used to measure self-efficacy.

RESULTS. Participants showed significant reductions in fatigue and significant increases in self-efficacy and quality of life at posttest. These beneficial effects were maintained at follow-up. The Social Well-Being subscale was the only measure on which outcomes did not change significantly.

CONCLUSION. The one-to-one fatigue management course is a beneficial intervention for people with chronic conditions and fatigue.

Authors:

Katy N. L. Van Heest, MOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Centrex Rehab, Minneapolis, MN. At the time of the study, she was Student, Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Ashley R. Mogush, MOT, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Pro Rehab, St. Paul, MN. At the time of the study, she was Student, Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Virgil G. Mathiowetz, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Associate Professor, Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Learning Objectives:

Following this course, the learner will be able to:

1)  Identify the difference between normal and pathological fatigue