Evidence for your Practice: Occupational therapy in fatigue management in MS

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Article: Angela, S., Tullia, S. D. E., Giorgia, F., Valter, S., & Teresa, P. (2019). Occupational Therapy in Fatigue Management in Multiple Sclerosis: An Umbrella Review. Multiple sclerosis international, 2019.

Purpose: The purpose of this umbrella review was to determine the efficacy of OT intervention in the management of fatigue of individuals with MS

  

Overview of the articles: 10 articles fit the reviews inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 1 guideline, 1 meta-analysis, 3 reviews, and 5 systematic reviews.

Findings:

• The following interventions/topics were shown to be effective in the reduction of MS fatigue:
• Energy conservation and fatigue management education
• Fatigue Applying Cognitive Behavioural and Energy Effectiveness Techniques (FACETs) program
• Pragmatic Exercise Intervention for people with MS (EXMIS)
• A multidisciplinary approach
• Face-to-face format
• ADL training
• Vocational training

• The following interventions/topics were shown to be effective in increasing individuals QOL:
• Energy conservation education
• Pragmatic Exercise Intervention for people with MS (EXMIS)

• The following intervention/topics were shown to have low effectiveness/require further research in the reduction of MS fatigue:
• Telerehabilitation
• Relaxation therapy

Bottom Line for OT:

• OT interventions that focus on education, energy conservation, and have a face-to-face component are evidence-based and beneficial for the management of fatigue for individuals with MS
• A multidisciplinary team was supported by all reviews which highlights the importance of working alongside other health professionals when managing MS fatigue
• OTs should be aware of, screen for, and assess secondary fatigue which can be associated with anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping

The article can be found here 

Post by Brandy Virgin, fieldwork student with CAOT-BC

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