[Energy-saving strategies in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. A pilot study].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the third most common cause of neurological disability in adults, and 75-95% of subjects suffer from fatigue, which is the symptom that interferes most with activities of daily living and is the most frequent reason why patients have to stop working. AIM: To evaluate the adherence to and effectiveness of a course on energy-saving as a way to diminish fatigue and to increase the quality of life in people with MS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This pilot study was almost random (although allocation to the control and intervention groups was randomised, the researchers chose the number of patients assigned to each group), with a control group of 14 patients with MS who showed signs of fatigue. Two 2-hour sessions of the course on energy-saving techniques were given by an occupational therapist in a group of nine patients. Measures were made of the self-efficiency to perform the energy-saving strategies assessment, the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), the Short-Form health questionnaire (SF-36) and the open questionnaire on improvements in the course. RESULTS: Adherence to treatment by participants was high (with a mean increase of 2.17) and improvements were obtained on the FIS and SF-36 scales, although they were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of adherence to a course on energy-saving strategies by patients with MS is high. Although no statistically significant improvements were found, patients did report clinical improvements in both fatigue and quality of life.