One-year follow-up to a randomized controlled trial of an energy conservation course for persons with multiple sclerosis

Int J Rehabil Res. 2007 Dec;30(4):305-13. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0b013e3282f14434.

Abstract

In this randomized controlled trial, 169 persons with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to an immediate intervention group or a delayed control group using a crossover design. The outcome measures (Fatigue Impact Scale and SF-36 Health Survey) were measured four times before and after courses. This study investigated whether the immediate benefits of a 6-week, community-based, energy conservation course for persons with multiple sclerosis were maintained at 1-year follow-up. We performed intent-to-treat and compliers-only analyses using mixed effects analysis of variance models. Results showed that the beneficial effects were maintained 1-year postcourse compared with immediate postcourse. In addition, there were significant improvements in all three subscales of the Fatigue Impact Scale and in four subscales of SF-36 Health Survey 1-year postcourse compared with precourse. Together, these results provide strong evidence that the beneficial effects of the energy conservation course taught by occupational therapists were maintained up to 1-year postcourse.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living* / psychology
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Ergonomics*
  • Fatigue / psychology
  • Fatigue / rehabilitation*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Fatigue / psychology
  • Mental Fatigue / rehabilitation
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / psychology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / rehabilitation*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / psychology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / rehabilitation*
  • Occupational Therapy*
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Rehabilitation, Vocational
  • Social Adjustment