Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between
fatigue and communication in people with MS. METHOD: A phenomenological approach
was used in in-depth interviews with 10 people with MS to gain insight into the
lived experience of the interaction between MS fatigue and communication. Themes
were derived from inductive analysis of verbatim transcripts of the interviews.
RESULTS: Participants framed their observations around three major themes. In the
first 'revealing communication changes' an increase in the severity of
communication symptoms and the onset of new communications symptoms when
experiencing fatigue were reported. In the second 'concealing and coping' a range
of covert and overt strategies employed to manage fatigue and communication
changes were described. Finally the complex interplay between symptoms of fatigue
and communication, strategies employed to manage these symptoms and societal
attitudes was reported in 'barriers to participation'. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue
impacts on communication impairment, activity and participation. Self reports
have an important role to play in clinical assessment of fatigue and
communication in MS. Multidisciplinary team input is vital for the effective
management of clients with MS fatigue and communication change. Further research
into the impact of fatigue on different aspects of communication is required.

Langue : ANGLAIS