Improved fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis after participating in a short-term self-care programme

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is among the most common, yet least understood symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The debilitating symptoms of MS can have adverse effects on the sufferer's self-esteem. We report the effect of a short-term self-managed graded exercise programme on fatigue and self-esteem of patients with MS. Methods: Thirty-four (age range: 20-50, mean: 29.7 years; M:F 0.7:1.0) patients with MS who lived in Tehran and were not physically disabled entered the study. Self-esteem score was measured with the Persian translation of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. Fatigue was evaluated with a visual analogue scale. The patients performed the self-managed techniques for 6 weeks. Self-esteem and fatigue were evaluated once more after the self-managed graded exercise programme. Results: On paired sample test, the self-esteem score of the patients was significantly different before (53.9) and after (68.1) the self-managed graded exercise programme (P < 0.0001). The score of fatigue was also significantly different before (4.59) and after (5.76) the intervention (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study can provide us with important insights into our understanding of the potential for developing self-care training as an alternative in rehabilitation of the patients with MS. Self-managed graded exercise programme may be considered as an alternative to direct nursing services for patients with MS.

Effect of exercise training on quality of life in multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis

“…We compute effect sizes expressed as Cohen's d [20] in one of two ways: (a) mean change from before to after the intervention of exercise training group minus mean change of control group divided by pre-intervention pooled standard deviation (experimental trials) or (b) mean change from before to after the intervention of exercise group divided by pre-intervention standard deviation (non-experimental trials). Within the experimental trials, the effect sizes were always generated such 1 Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 [25] 1 Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory [8] 1 Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 [26] 1 Satisfaction With Life Scale [25] 1 Sickness Impact Profile [24] 1 Visual Analogue Fatigue Scale [27] 1…”

The perceived impact of multiple sclerosis and self-management: The mediating role of coping strategies

“…Recent studies provide significant evidence about the health advantages brought by self-management in people with MS [ 6 , 7 ]. It is associated with a reduction of fatigue [ 8 ], improvement in health-related quality of life [ 9 ], adherence to medication [ 10 ], and increase in physical functioning [ 11 , 12 ]. In the systematic review of Rae-Grant et al [ 13 ], treatment outcomes in MS were shown to improve with the efficacy of self-management.…”

Clinical and economic impact of a specialty care management program among patients with multiple sclerosis: a cohort study

“…[8][9][10][11][12] However, relatively little published evidence about MS care management programs is available. Some earlier studies have shown the feasibility of programs for patient education, exercise, specialist nurse, depression disease management, and energy conservation among people with MS. [13][14][15][16][17] Most of these studies were symptom specific and few were conducted on a wide scale. There is a need to understand the impact of this type of program and facilitate informed decision-making for review and implementation.…”