title: Cumulative fatigue symptoms among caregivers in Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship of cumulative fatigue symptoms among caregivers in Japan with work environment issues and lifestyle behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 376 women (mean age, 54 years) attending professional seminars for caregivers held between 1999 and 2002. After obtaining informed consent, a survey was conducted to ascertain work environment issues, lifestyle behaviors and fatigue levels. Fatigue was quantitatively assessed using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index (CFSI) developed by Kosugoh et al. Factors related to caregiver fatigue were identified using Pearson's correlation coefficient, the Mann-Whitney U-test and multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregivers who felt an xiety or concern regarding care techniques, care content, personal relationships, work conditions, and physical fitness showed higher CFSI scores, while caregivers who exercised regularly and had proper eating behavior displayed lower CFSI scores. Anxiety/concern regarding physical fitness and proper eating behaviors were identified as significant predictors for all CFSI category scores (P<0.001). Regular exercise behavior (P<0.001), age (P<0.001), and years of work experience (P<0.001) also represented significant independent variables for some CFSI categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that upgrading the knowledge and skills of care and nursing and modifying lifestyle behaviors could reduce the level of fatigue experienced by caregivers.
authors: Japanese Red Cross Toyota College of Nursing, Toyota, Japan.
authors: Kazuko
authors: K
authors: Ichie
authors: Isao
authors: I
authors: Ohsawa
authors: Yuzo
authors: Y
authors: Sato