title: Unique contribution of fatigue to disability in community-dwelling adults with traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the unique contribution of fatigue to self-reported disability in community-dwelling adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional cohort design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community dwellings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults (N=50) with a history of mild to severe TBI were assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study assessed the contribution of fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale) to disability (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory), controlling for executive functions (Frontal Systems Behavior Scale), depression status (major depression in partial remission/current major depression/depressive symptoms or no history of depression), and initial injury severity (uncomplicated mild, complicated mild, moderate, or severe).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fatigue was found to contribute uniquely to the variance in self-reported disability (β=.47, P<.001) after controlling for injury severity, executive functions, and depression status. The overall model was significant (F(4,45)=17.32, P<.001) and explained 61% of the variance in self-reported disability, with fatigue alone accounting for 12% of the variance in self-reported disability (F(1,45)=13.97, P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fatigue contributes uniquely to disability status among community-dwelling adults with chronic TBI, independent of injury severity, executive functions, and depression. Addressing fatigue through targeted interventions may help to improve self-perceived disability in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. sbj7@pitt.edu
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Juengst
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skidmore
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Arenth
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Niyonkuru
authors.forename: Ketki D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Raina
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged