Effectiveness of an online fatigue self-management programme for people with chronic neurological conditions: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an online fatigue self-management programme in a sample of adults with chronic neurological conditions.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Online fatigue self-management programme delivered across Australia.


METHODS
Ninety-five people with fatigue secondary to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or post-polio syndrome.


METHODS
An online fatigue self-management programme, an information-only fatigue self-management programme and a control group.


METHODS
Groups were compared at pre test, post test and at three months on primary outcomes using the Fatigue Impact Scale, Activity Card Sort and Personal Wellbeing Index.


RESULTS
With the exception of the Personal Wellbeing Index at post test (F = 3.519; P =0.034) and the Physical Subscale of the Fatigue Impact Scale at follow-up (F = 3.473; P =0.035) there were no significant differences between the three groups on primary outcomes. Post-hoc testing showed the differences to be between the information-only and control groups (P = 0.036 and P = 0.030 respectively). Improvement in the information-only group was unexpected but appears to be similar to results of other online interventions. The fatigue self-management and information-only groups performed better than the control on some secondary outcome measures. Low power in the analysis may have contributed to the findings. Repeated-measures ANCOVA showed that the fatigue self-management and the information-only groups improved over time on the Fatigue Impact Scale and the Activity Card Sort (P<0.05). The control group showed no improvements over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the fatigue self-management group improved over time, results did not demonstrate additional benefit in most outcome measures when compared with the control group.
Ghahari
Setareh
S
Centre for Research into Disability and Society, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. setareh.ghahari@gmail.com
Leigh Packer
Tanya
T
Passmore
Anne Elizabeth
AE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult