Although an effective face-to-face fatigue program is available, people with transportation, time, or geographic restrictions cannot access this intervention. The aim a study by Ghahari and colleagues was to develop and evaluate effectiveness of an online fatigue self-management program (online FSMP). Key features of the face-to-face program were captured and transferred to an online FSMP prototype. Subsequently, three pilot tests were conducted for formative evaluation of the program and necessary changes were made to improve the program. During the third pilot test, the effectiveness of the online FSMP was also tested using a pre-test post-test design on a sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or post-polio syndrome. The study resulted in a standardized 7-week online FSMP mimicking its face-to-face version. Participants were offered fatigue self-management skills through structured activities, sharing information and experiences, expressing their ideas or feelings, and offering advice and support to one another. The participants in the third pilot study significantly improved on the Fatigue Impact Scale (p <0.05); a trend toward significance was shown on the Personal Wellbeing index (p = 0.08).

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. The authors concluded that the online FSMP could be a viable treatment for people with neurological conditions and warrants further study.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU AS APATIENT: This was but a pilot study so we really don’t have too much to go on with respect to your condition. The program warrants a large-scale testing before we know what actions could be predicted. Nevertheless, it is significant that the online program may be teaching you to be less fatigued.

S Ghahari et al. Development, standardisation and pilot testing of an online fatigue self-management program. Disability Rehabilation, May 19, 2009.