Sensor and Survey Measures Associated With Daily Fatigue in HIV: Findings From a Mixed-Method Study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Fatigue is a prevalent symptom in people living with HIV (PLWH).
• Understanding the multifaceted nature of fatigue and self-management is crucial for improving quality of life.
• The Two Minds Theory provides a framework for exploring subjective experiences and behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the fatigue experiences of PLWH.
• To identify self-management behaviors associated with fatigue.
• To explore the utility of self-monitoring technologies in understanding and managing fatigue.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method approach combining daily smartphone surveys and qualitative interviews.
• 55 PLWH participated in 30-day smartphone surveys tracking psychological states and fatigue.
• Wearable technology (Fitbit Alta™) monitored physical activity and sleep patterns.
• Within-person multilevel models analyzed correlates of fatigue.
• Qualitative interviews provided in-depth experiential data.

Main Results:

• PLWH reported significant fatigue despite well-controlled HIV infection.
• Fatigue levels exhibited significant within-person variability over time.
• Key fatigue correlates included physical activity, sleep quality, daily psychological states, and self-care barriers.
• Self-monitoring provided PLWH with novel insights into their fatigue patterns.
• Participants expressed willingness to use technology for fatigue management.

Conclusions:

• Fatigue in PLWH is complex, influenced by physiological, behavioral, and psychological factors.
• Interventions targeting sleep, physical activity, and stress management may alleviate fatigue.
• Self-monitoring technologies offer a promising avenue for empowering PLWH in fatigue self-management.
• Further research can leverage technology to develop personalized fatigue management strategies for PLWH.