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Energy conservation for people with MS‐related fatigue: a pilot randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Garcia Jalon Elena Guiomar,
Len Sheila,
Hannan Justine,
Murphy Sam,
LoweStrong Andrew
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
physiotherapy research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.509
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1471-2865
pISSN - 1358-2267
DOI - 10.1002/pri.412
Subject(s) - randomized controlled trial , physical therapy , medicine , analysis of variance , psychological intervention , repeated measures design , intervention (counseling) , sample size determination , psychiatry , statistics , mathematics
Background . Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) (Mathiowetz et al., 2005). Although education about energy conservation is widely used in the clinical setting, research to ensure evidence‐based practice is still limited (MSC, 1998; Brañas et al., 2000; The National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, 2004). Aim . To test the methodology for a further randomized controlled trial. To evaluate the impact of an energy conservation programme (ECP). Design . Pilot randomized controlled trial. Method . A convenience sample of 13 people with MS was randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental intervention was an ECP and the control intervention a peer support group which received information about MS and its treatment. Both interventions were delivered in group format once a week for six weeks in two‐hour sessions. Outcome Measures . The Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), MS Impact Scale‐29 (MSIS‐29) and MS Self‐efficacy Scale (MSSS). Statistics . Repeated‐measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical analysis was conducted on an intention to treat (ITT) and compliers only basis. Results . There were significant reductions over time in the FIS for both groups ( p = 0.004). Although the experimental group showed larger reductions in the FIS, the difference between groups was not significant ( p = 0.12). Similarly, both groups showed a strong trend towards significant differences over time for the FSS and MSSS ( p = 0.05), but differences between the groups were not significant ( p = 0.58). Differences for the MSIS‐29 were neither significant over time ( p = 0.58) nor between the groups ( p = 0.66). Conclusion . This pilot study shows that an ECP may be beneficial and supports further evaluation of the effect of an ECP in the management of MS‐related fatigue. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.