The “Managing Fatigue” programme for people with multiple sclerosis – acceptance and feasibility with Swedish occupational therapists

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is common among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and significantly influences engagement in occupations. The Managing Fatigue (MF) programme is an evidence-based occupational therapy group-based intervention, utilising self-management science that provides people with tools to manage fatigue. Although the national MS-guidelines in Sweden cite this as best practice, a Swedish version is not available.

Aim: To translate and investigate the feasibility of a Swedish MF programme delivered by occupational therapists working with MS clients in Sweden.

Material and methods: We used a mixed-methods design. Eight recruited occupational therapists, participated in a workshop prior to delivering the MF programme. Following programme delivery, they completed a questionnaire and participated in focus group interviews.

Results: Each therapist conducted one programme with 5–9 MS clients. Overall, therapists were satisfied with programme content, and delivery was followed. Minor improvements were suggested, specifically in relation to how cognitive fatigue can be managed. Therapists acknowledged challenges moving from “expert” to supporting self-management.

Conclusion: The MF programme is feasible in Sweden, and its client-centred and occupation focus is consistent with therapists’ scope of practice. In the future, acceptability and satisfaction from the perspectives of MS participants should be examined. Larger, more robust intervention studies evaluating effectiveness are also warranted.

Keywords:

• Collaboration
• communication
• self-management
• group intervention
• occupational performance
• fatigue

Acknowledgement

The original authors provided permission to translate the manual to Swedish and for it to be offered free of charge to occupational therapists. The authors wish to thank the pioneering occupational therapists who were willing to expand their practice and participate in the study. We also wish to acknowledge and thank Kaitlin Sibbald, MSc OT Reg (NS), who greatly assisted with the organisation of the data and the preparation of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

Tanya Packer is lead author of the original manual, now out of print. T. Packer receives no longer royalties or financial benefit of any kind. Eva Månsson Lexell and Lena Haglund report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Lena Haglund and Eva Månsson Lexell completed the translation, the workshop with support from the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Eva Månsson Lexell accomplished this work within the context of the Centre for Ageing and Supportive Environments (CASE), Lund University, Sweden, funded by the Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research. Tanya Packer’s International Chronic and Complex Condition Research Group is supported by the Everyday Living Collaboratory in the School of Occupational Therapy at Dalhousie University, Canada.