Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-10-28
pubmed:abstractText
Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom by myasthenia gravis (MG)patients. Despite the prevalence of fatigue, treatment protocols are lacking, thus patients are left to self-manage. The purpose of this study was to describe self-care actions used to manage fatigue among patients with MG. A national sample (N = 250) of MG patients responded to two structured instruments. The Fatigue Survey (FS), modified with permission of authors Hubsky and Sears; and the Myasthenia Gravis Fatigue Scale (MGFS). Both instruments were based on the concept of fatigue. Participants identified three major categories of self-managed actions: mental interventions (76%), physical interventions (78%) and rest/sleep (80%). A subset of the respondents (N = 36) reported using aerobic exercise to attempt to relieve fatigue which is usually contradicted with MG. No significant difference in fatigue scores was found between those reporting aerobic exercise to be helpful and those not finding exercise helpful. However, those utilizing aerobic exercise reported the highest functional status categories. A question arises as to whether aerobic exercise is performed by the least ill MG patients, or aerobic exercise improves functional status. When demographic and functional status variables were associated with fatigue scores and selfcare actions, only gender and functional status were significantly correlated with fatigue score. Effective self-care actions include stress reduction techniques, pacing all activities and increased rest and sleep. Further investigation into the role of aerobic exercise is indicated as a self-care action for MG fatigue.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jun
pubmed:issn
0888-0395
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
30
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
191-9
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
Self-care actions to manage fatigue among myasthenia gravis patients.
pubmed:affiliation
St. Louis University School of Nursing, Missouri 63104, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article