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Impact of a fatigue management in work programme on meeting work demands of individuals with rheumatic diseases: A pilot study
Author(s) -
McCormack Róisín C.,
O’Shea Finbar,
Doran Michele,
Connolly Deirdre
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
musculoskeletal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1557-0681
pISSN - 1478-2189
DOI - 10.1002/msc.1237
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , physical therapy , mood , depression (economics) , intervention (counseling) , rehabilitation , clinical psychology , psychiatry , economics , macroeconomics
Work disability and job loss are serious consequences of rheumatic diseases (RDs), and fatigue is a symptom of RDs commonly reported to have an impact on work performance. A FAtigue ManagEment in Work (FAME‐W) programme was developed to facilitate the self‐management of fatigue in work. The present pilot study explored if FAME‐W could facilitate individuals with RDs to manage fatigue in work and improve their ability to meet work demands. Methods Twenty‐seven individuals with a variety of rheumatic diagnoses completed a 4‐week, 2‐h occupational therapy‐led self‐management programme. Each week focused on fatigue‐related topics, including fatigue and activity management, pain management and joint protection, mental well‐being, effective communication with employers and work colleagues, and employment legislation. Individual workplace ergonomic assessments were also offered. Study measures (work function, fatigue, pain, mood and self‐efficacy) were completed prior to starting FAME‐W, immediately post‐intervention and 12 weeks post‐intervention. Results Participants (56% male) had a mean age of 43 years. No significant improvements were observed immediately post‐programme. However, at the 12‐week follow‐up, significant improvements were reported in meeting work demands (scheduling [ p = 0.046], output [ p = 0.002], physical [ p = 0.003], mental [ p = 0.016]), fatigue [ p = 0.001], pain [ p = 0.01], anxiety [ p = 0.001], depression [ p < 0.001], self‐efficacy [ p < 0.001] and Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2‐Short Form (physical: p = 0.005; symptoms: p = 0.010; affect: p = 0.010; social: p = 0.001). Conclusions Significant improvements were reported in participants’ ability to meet various demands of their work 3 months post‐FAME‐W. These findings suggest that FAME‐W has the potential to assist individuals with RDs to meet the demands of their work, although further research is required to test the effectiveness of this intervention.