Fatigue self-management education in persons with disease-related fatigue: A comprehensive review of the effectiveness on fatigue and quality of life

Abstract Objectives To systematically synthesize the effectiveness of fatigue self-management education (SME) on fatigue and quality of life (QoL) in persons with disease-related fatigue, and to describe the intervention characteristics. Methods We systematically reviewed the literature on SMEs in people with disease-related fatigue. We included randomized controlled trials (RCT), which aimed to improve self-management skills for fatigue in daily life. We synthesized the effectiveness and mapped the intervention characteristics. Results We included 26 RCTs studying samples from eight disease groups. At follow-up, 46% studies reported statistically significant improvements on fatigue and 46% on QoL. For persons with cancer 6/8 and multiple sclerosis 8/10 RCTs showed positive evidence in favor of SME. The range of effect sizes was wide (d: 0.0 ->0.8). Delivery modalities (inpatient, outpatient, home), interactions (individual, group, remote), and duration [range (h): 1–17.5] varied. Conclusions The overall evidence on the effectiveness of SMEs on fatigue and QoL is limited and inconsistent. For persons with cancer and multiple sclerosis, the evidence provides a positive effect. The RCTs with medium to large effect on QoL indicate the potential benefit of SMEs. Practical implication Duration and peer interaction should be considered when tailoring SMEs to populations and contexts.