Tag: functional limitations

The Energy Envelope Theory and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Erratum in: AAOHN J. 2008 Jul;56(7):288. Muldowney, Kathleen [added]; Torres-Harding, Susan [added].

Abstract:

Individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) have little stamina and endurance, and pose a challenge for nursing professionals. The Energy Envelope Theory, which posits that maintaining expended energy levels consistent with available energy levels may reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, is particularly useful when working with clients with ME/CFS. Anecdotal support from the client community for this theory supports its use as a management tool for ME/CFS, but little formal research has been done in this area.

In this study, a daily energy quotient was established by dividing the expended energy level by the perceived energy level and multiplying by 100. It was predicted that those participants who expended energy beyond their level of perceived energy would have more severe fatigue and symptoms and lower levels of physical and mental functioning.

Findings are congruent with the Energy Envelope Theory as they indicated that the daily energy quotient was related to several indices of functioning including depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, quality of life, and disability. The overall results provide support for a strategy health care professionals can use when working with clients with ME/CFS.

 

Source: Jason L, Muldowney K, Torres-Harding S. The Energy Envelope Theory and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. AAOHN J. 2008 May;56(5):189-95. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18578185

 

Measuring the functional impact of fatigue: initial validation of the fatigue impact scale

Abstract:

The fatigue impact scale (FIS) was developed to improve our understanding of the effects of fatigue on quality of life. The FIS examines patients’ perceptions of the functional limitations that fatigue has caused over the past month. FIS items reflect perceived impact on cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functioning.

This study compared 145 patients referred for investigation of chronic fatigue (ChF) with 105 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 34 patients with mild hypertension (HT). Internal consistency for the FIS and its three subscales was > .87 for all analyses. Fatigue impact was highest for the ChF group although the MS group’s reported fatigue also exceeded that of the HT group. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 80.0% of the ChF group and 78.1% of the MS group when these groups were compared.

This initial validation study indicates that the FIS has considerable merit as a measure of patient’s attribution of functional limitations to symptoms of fatigue.

 

Source: Fisk JD, Ritvo PG, Ross L, Haase DA, Marrie TJ, Schlech. Measuring the functional impact of fatigue: initial validation of the fatigue impact scale. Clin Infect Dis. 1994 Jan;18 Suppl 1:S79-83. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8148458