title: How does fatigue influence community-based exercise participation in people with multiple sclerosis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regular exercise is considered important for long-term health outcomes and fatigue management in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, little is known about the experiences of individuals with MS-related fatigue, who participate in community-based exercise activities. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of people with MS-related fatigue, who engaged in community-based exercise activities in order to discover how fatigue influenced their exercise participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, we used qualitative methodology based on the interpretive description approach to collect and analyse data. Individuals with MS, who experienced fatigue and regularly participated in community-based exercise activities, were interviewed. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach with multi-step verification strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that perceived control over MS-related fatigue influenced exercise choices in our participants. Furthermore, perceived control over fatigue was influenced by seven factors: wellness philosophy, a related goal, belief that control was possible, feeling safe and supported, ability to manage limits, being satisfied with trade-offs and positive definition of self.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of factors influencing perceived control over fatigue will assist health care providers when facilitating community exercise choices for people with MS.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physiotherapy Research, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. cath.smith@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Leigh Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: Anthony G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Schneiders
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support