ABSTRACT

Approximately 70-90% of people with MS experience fatigue, and up to 40% of them describe it as their most disabling symptom.1 The origin of fatigue is as complex as its de„- nition and clinical appearance,2 making it an intriguing MS symptom. Literature indicates that MS fatigue is not typically associated with age, gender, or the length of time with the disease, and it is only weakly related to level of disability and disease course.3 Fatigue is a critical symptom to address during rehabilitation because it may worsen other MS symptoms (e.g., cognition) or it may increase as a consequence of others (e.g., spasticity).3,4

CONTENTS

5.1 Describing Fatigue in MS ................................................................................................... 70 5.1.1 Limitations in Language ......................................................................................... 70 5.1.2 Types of Fatigue in MS ............................................................................................ 70

5.1.2.1 Primary Fatigue ......................................................................................... 71 5.1.2.2 Secondary Fatigue .....................................................................................72 5.1.2.3 Acute versus Chronic Fatigue ................................................................. 73 5.1.2.4 Other Types of Fatigue ............................................................................. 74

5.1.3 Dimensions of Fatigue ............................................................................................ 74 5.1.4 Summary ................................................................................................................... 74

5.2 Impact of Fatigue on Everyday Life .................................................................................. 75 5.2.1 Experience of MS Fatigue ....................................................................................... 75 5.2.2 Impact of Fatigue on Other Body Functions ........................................................ 76 5.2.3 Impact of Fatigue on Activity and Participation ................................................. 76 5.2.4 Impact of Fatigue on Coping and Sense of Self ...................................................77 5.2.5 Impact of Fatigue on Caregivers and Family Members .....................................77