The outcomes of using self-study modules in energy conservation education for people with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there were any differences in the outcomes of individuals with multiple sclerosis who attended all six sessions of an energy conservation education programme compared with people who missed a session and received a self-study module.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from two naturally occurring groups emerging from a randomized control trial--compliers who received the intervention as intended (group 1) and noncompliers who received a modified intervention with self-study modules (group 2).


METHODS
Community settings in Chicago, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.


METHODS
Ninety-two community-dwelling people with multiple sclerosis who were participating in an energy conservation education programme.


METHODS
Energy conservation education groups based on the 'Managing Fatigue' programme, which were facilitated by an occupational therapist. Self-study modules were sent to participants who missed a session.


METHODS
Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment, Energy Conservation Strategies Survey (ECSS), six subscales from the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).


RESULTS
When comparing individuals who attended all six sessions with individuals who missed one or more sessions and received a self-study module, no significant differences were found after adjusting for multiple comparisons.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants who used the self-study modules because they missed sessions of the Managing Fatigue programme experienced benefits from the course similar to those experienced by participants who fully complied with the intervention as intended. A new prospective study to validate the findings of this secondary analysis is required.
Lamb
Alisa L
AL
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. Alisa.Lamb@carle.com
Finlayson
Marcia
M
Mathiowetz
Virgil
V
Chen
Hua Yun
HY
D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic