Randomized controlled trial of an energy conservation course for persons with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the short-term efficacy and effectiveness of a six-week energy conservation course on fatigue impact, quality of life and self-efficacy for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
In this randomized controlled trial, we randomly assigned 169 persons with MS to an immediate intervention group or a delayed control group using a crossover design. The outcome measures: Fatigue Impact Scale, SF-36 Health Survey and Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies were measured before and after courses and no intervention control periods. We performed intent-to-treat analysis and compliers-only analyses using mixed effects analysis of variance models.


RESULTS
Taking the energy conservation course had significant effects on reducing the physical and social subscales of Fatigue Impact Scale and on increasing the Vitality subscale of the SF-36 scores compared with not taking the course. Additional subscales were significant depending on methods of analyses. Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment increased significantly (P <0.05) postcourse compared to precourse.


CONCLUSIONS
Results support the efficacy and effectiveness of the energy conservation course to decrease fatigue impact, and to increase self-efficacy and some aspects of quality of life.
Mathiowetz
Virgil G
VG
Program in Occupational Therapy, University of Minnesota, MMC 388, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. mathi003@umn.edu
Finlayson
Marcia L
ML
Matuska
Kathleen M
KM
Chen
Hua Yun
HY
Luo
Ping
P
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016896:Treatment Outcome