title: Fatigue is a major issue for children and adolescents with physical disabilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to investigate fatigue, and its correlates, in children and adolescents with physical disabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five young people aged 8 to 17 years (35 males, 30 females; mean age 13y 2mo, SD 2y 8mo) with mild to moderate physical disabilities (Gillette Functional Assessment Questionnaire levels 7-10) were recruited. Self-reported fatigue was measured using the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Physical activity was measured using 7-day hip-worn accelerometer. Associations between fatigue, physical activity, and socio-demographic characteristics were examined using analysis of covariance, with significance (α) set at 0.05. Results were compared with normative data from other paediatric populations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among children with physical disabilities, fatigue was associated with being physically inactive (F-statistic=4.42, p=0.040), female (F=4.37, p=0.042), and of low socio-economic status (F=3.94, p=0.050). Fatigue was not associated with age, weight status, or functional impairment. Young people with physical disabilities experienced high levels of fatigue compared with other paediatric health populations, and comparable to the paediatric cancer population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fatigue is an important issue for young people with physical disabilities. Clinicians and researchers working with this group should be mindful that fatigue is likely to impact on an individual's ability to undertake new treatment regimens or interventions. Interventions aimed at reducing fatigue are warranted. Increasing physical activity might play a role in reducing fatigue.
authors: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Maher
authors: Novita Children's Services, Regency Park, SA, Australia.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Crettenden
authors: Novita Children's Services, Regency Park, SA, Australia.
authors: Kerry
authors: K
authors: Evans
authors: School of Art, Architecture and Design, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: Myra
authors: M
authors: Thiessen
authors: Novita Children's Services, Regency Park, SA, Australia.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Toohey
authors: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Watson
authors: Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Dollman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019988:Children with Disabilities; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class