A multicenter randomized controlled trial of two group education programs for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: Short- and medium-term benefits

Background Fatigue occurs in 75%–95% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is frequently reported as the most disabling symptom. A multicomponent group program of six weekly 2-hour sessions, Fatigue: Take Control (FTC), was developed from an international MS fatigue management guideline. Objective To determine whether FTC is associated with greater improvements in fatigue than MS: Take Control (MSTC), a similarly structured general MS education program. Methods This four-site, parallel, single-blind, randomized controlled trial compared FTC and MSTC in 204 ambulatory participants with MS. The primary outcome, the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and secondary outcomes of self-efficacy, physical activity, sleep, and medications were assessed at baseline, program completion, and 3 and 6 months later. Results Mean MFIS scores improved in both groups between baseline and program completion (FTC −4.4, p < 0.001; MSTC −3.8, p < 0.001), between baseline and 3 months after program completion (FTC −3.2, p = 0.01; MSTC −3.3, p = 0.01), and between baseline and 6 months after program completion (FTC −5.2, p < 0.001; MSTC −4.8, p < 0.001). These improvements were not statistically different between groups ( p = 0.64, 0.92, and 0.82, respectively). Conclusion Participation in FTC modestly improved self-reported fatigue for up to 6 months. This improvement did not differ significantly from that occurring with the control program.

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A multicenter randomized controlled trial of two group education programs for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: Long-term (12-month) follow-up at one site

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458518775920 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 871-875 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cinda L Hugos ◽

Michelle H Cameron ◽

Zunqiu Chen ◽

Yiyi Chen ◽

Dennis Bourdette

Keyword(s):

Controlled Trial ◽

Control Program ◽

Group Program ◽

Delayed Effect ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Impact Scale ◽

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Fatigue Impact Scale

Background: A four-site RCT of Fatigue: Take Control (FTC), a multicomponent group program, found no significant differences from a control program, MS: Take Control (MSTC), in fatigue on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) through 6 months. Objective: Assess FTC for a delayed effect on fatigue. Methods: Of 78 subjects at one site, 74 randomized to FTC or MSTC completed the MFIS at 12 months. Results: Compared to baseline, FTC produced greater improvements in MFIS scores than MSTC (FTC −8.9 (confidence interval (CI): 32.2, 45), MSTC −2.5 (CI 39.6, 47.7), p = 0.03) at 12 months. Conclusion: The delayed effect of FTC on fatigue suggests the need for longer follow-up when assessing interventions for fatigue.

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The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Fatigue, Sleep Quality and Anxiety in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Archives of Neuroscience ◽

10.5812/ans.102591 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Mahbobeh Sajadi ◽

Fahimeh Davodabady ◽

Mohsen Ebrahimi-Monfared

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Nursing Intervention ◽

Physical Fatigue ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Impact Scale ◽

Fatigue Impact Scale

Background: Fatigue, sleep disorders, and anxiety are common symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. MS reduced the quality of life by these symptoms in patients. Studies have shown that foot reflexology may reduce some problems of this disease. Objectives: The present randomized controlled trial study investigated the effect of reflexology on fatigue, sleep quality, and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: This study included 63 patients with MS referred to Arak MS society in 2018 - 2019. Reflexology and placebo intervention had applied twice a week for 4 weeks, and each session lasted about 30 - 40 minutes. Fatigue Impact scale (FIS), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) was used for data collection before and after the intervention. A significant statistical level was considered 0.05. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software (V. 16.0). Results: Significant improvement was observed in physical fatigue (P = 0.042), sleep quality (P = 0.001) and anxiety (P = 0.034) in the reflexology group after the intervention. Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) revealed a decrease in fatigue level in MS patients, but these alterations were not significant (P = 0.134). Conclusions: Reflexology is a non-invasive, simple, affordable, and low-cost nursing intervention that can be helpful in reducing physical fatigue, anxiety, and improving sleep quality of people with MS.

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Fatigue, as measured using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, is a predictor of processing speed improvement induced by exercise in patients with multiple sclerosis: data from a randomized controlled trial

Journal of Neurology ◽

10.1007/s00415-018-8836-5 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 265 (6) ◽

pp. 1328-1333 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Giancarlo Coghe ◽

Federica Corona ◽

Elisabetta Marongiu ◽

Giuseppe Fenu ◽

Jessica Frau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Impact Scale ◽

Fatigue Impact Scale

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Randomized controlled trial of a teleconference fatigue management plus physical activity intervention in adults with multiple sclerosis: rationale and research protocol

BMC Neurology ◽

10.1186/1471-2377-12-122 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Matthew Plow ◽

Marcia Finlayson ◽

Robert W Motl ◽

Francois Bethoux

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Research Protocol ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Fatigue Management

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Efficacy of a Computer-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation Intervention in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2017/5919841 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Lambros Messinis ◽

Grigorios Nasios ◽

Mary H. Kosmidis ◽

Petros Zampakis ◽

Sonia Malefaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Memory Processing ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Cognitive impairment is frequently encountered in multiple sclerosis (MS) affecting between 40–65% of individuals, irrespective of disease duration and severity of physical disability. In the present multicenter randomized controlled trial, fifty-eight clinically stable RRMS patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and relatively low disability status were randomized to receive either computer-assisted (RehaCom) functional cognitive training with an emphasis on episodic memory, information processing speed/attention, and executive functions for 10 weeks (IG; n=32) or standard clinical care (CG; n=26). Outcome measures included a flexible comprehensive neuropsychological battery of tests sensitive to MS patient deficits and feedback regarding personal benefit gained from the intervention on four verbal questions. Only the IG group showed significant improvements in verbal and visuospatial episodic memory, processing speed/attention, and executive functioning from pre - to postassessment. Moreover, the improvement obtained on attention was retained over 6 months providing evidence on the long-term benefits of this intervention. Group by time interactions revealed significant improvements in composite cognitive domain scores in the IG relative to the demographically and clinically matched CG for verbal episodic memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and attention. Treated patients rated the intervention positively and were more confident about their cognitive abilities following treatment.

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Schulungsprogramme verbessern Fatigue bei Multipler Sklerose

neuroreha ◽

10.1055/a-1026-8875 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (04) ◽

pp. 147-147

Author(s):

Jan Mehrholz

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Education Programs ◽

Medium Term ◽

Group Education ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Hugos CL, Chen Z, Chen Y et al. A multicenter randomized controlled trial of two group education programs for fatigue in multiple sclerosis: Short- and medium-term benefits. Mult Scler 2019; 2: 275–285

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Clinical trial of a formal group fatigue program in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458510364536 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 724-732 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

CL Hugos ◽

LF Copperman ◽

BE Fuller ◽

V. Yadav ◽

J. Lovera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Control Program ◽

Formal Group ◽

Control Programs ◽

Fatigue Management ◽

Impact Scale ◽

Fatigue Severity ◽

Fatigue Impact Scale

Fatigue: Take Control is a novel program to teach fatigue management to people with multiple sclerosis (MS) following recommendations in the Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis guideline. Fatigue: Take Control includes six 2-hour group sessions with DVD viewing, discussion and homework and accompanying participant and leader workbooks. While many people have participated in Fatigue: Take Control programs, its efficacy has not been determined. The objective of this study was to determine whether participation in Fatigue: Take Control reduces fatigue and increases self-efficacy in people with MS. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a group who immediately participated in the program (FTC) or a wait-list group (WL). The primary outcome was the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and secondary outcomes were the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Efficacy Scale (MSSE) and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The MFIS was administered on 10 occasions. Other measures were administered on four occasions. A mixed model tested the effects using all observations. Compared with the WL, the FTC group had significantly more improvement on the MFIS [F(1, 269) = 7.079, p = 0.008] and the MSSE [F(1, 111) = 5.636, p = 0.019]. No significant effect was found for the FSS. Across all visits, fatigue was significantly lower and self-efficacy was significantly higher for the FTC group compared with the WL group. This pilot study demonstrated significant effects in fatigue and self-efficacy among subjects taking the Fatigue: Take Control program, suggesting that this comprehensive program based on the Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis guideline may be beneficial in MS.

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