Unique Contribution of Fatigue to Disability in Community-Dwelling Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury

January 2013
Publication year: 2013
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Volume 94, Issue 1



Objective To examine the unique contribution of fatigue to self-reported disability in community-dwelling adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design A cross-sectional cohort design. Setting Community dwellings. Participants Adults (N=50) with a history of mild to severe TBI were assessed. Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures This study assessed the contribution of fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale) to disability (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory), controlling for executive functions (Frontal Systems Behavior Scale), depression status (major depression in partial remission/current major depression/depressive symptoms or no history of depression), and initial injury severity (uncomplicated mild, complicated mild, moderate, or severe). Results Fatigue was found to contribute uniquely to the variance in self-reported disability (β=.47, P<.001) after controlling for injury severity, executive functions, and depression status. The overall model was significant (F4,45=17.32, P<.001) and explained 61% of the variance in self-reported disability, with fatigue alone accounting for 12% of the variance in self-reported disability (F1,45=13.97, P<.001). Conclusions Fatigue contributes uniquely to disability status among community-dwelling adults with chronic TBI, independent of injury severity, executive functions, and depression. Addressing fatigue through targeted interventions may help to improve self-perceived disability in this population.

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