title: Development and Feasibility of an Evidence-Based Patient Education Program for Managing Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: The "Fatigue Management in MS" Program (FatiMa).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom, often causing decreased quality of life, social withdrawal, and unemployment. We developed and studied the feasibility of a cognitive-behavioral group intervention to manage fatigue in MS. We aimed to integrate the concepts of cognitive-behavioral therapy and evidence-based patient information.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted patient interviews and a focus group to assess patients' interest in and need for fatigue self-management training and developed the program accordingly. The program consists of six 90-minute modules, which were structured with the use of moderation cards, helping to guarantee treatment fidelity. The program was tested on three pilot groups (N = 16) in a rehabilitation center. Fatigue, depression, and coping self-efficacy were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. Acceptance and general satisfaction with the program were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient interviews elicited different characteristics of fatigue, suggesting that patients had different requirements. The program was very acceptable to patients. Pre-post assessments of the pilot study showed significantly improved scores on the Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (P = .013) but not on the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions and the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These preliminary results suggest that this program is a feasible cognitive-behavioral group training program that may improve coping self-efficacy and has the potential to subsequently reduce fatigue. The next step is evaluation of the program in a randomized controlled trial.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Maria Janina
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wendebourg
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Lena Katharina
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Feddersen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köpke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Rona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moss-Morris
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heesen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroimmunology and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany (MJW, LKF, SL, CH, JP); Nursing Research Unit, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany (SK); and Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK (RM-M).
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pöttgen