The self-regulation of fatigue and associated complaints: an exploratory simulation

A computer simulation has been developed that reflects the microdynamics of dealing with fatigue and associated complaints. The theoretical base was derived from Leventhal, Nerenz and Steele's self-regulation model; the empirical base from a large-scale diary study carried out over a period of 3 weeks. The simulation results demonstrate that the process of self-regulation is non-linear. Consequently, some patient education assumptions are challenged: that individuals suffering from fatigue and associated complaints are likely to follow a similar trajectory, that interventions should not be started until after a 6 weeks delay, and that an intervention always produces the same results. These insights may be generalised to other health complaints that have no medical explanation.