Perspectives on fatigue management among veterans living with multiple sclerosis

Chronic fatigue is one of the most common, disabling, and least understood symptoms of many chronic health conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS). A multidisciplinary rehabilitative treatment approach is recommended for MS-related fatigue, but few people with MS have access to such treatment. In-person and telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for fatigue is an emerging acceptable and effective treatment for MS-related fatigue in civilians that has not been studied in Veterans with MS, a population that is more likely to be older, male, unemployed, and disabled. The present study aimed to understand how Veterans with MS (1) describe their fatigue and (2) manage their fatigue, and (3) perceive telehealth CBT for MS-related fatigue.

Twenty-four Veterans with MS completed semi-structured interviews and a brief survey. For descriptive purposes, the survey included questionnaires on demographics, fatigue, psychosocial functioning, depression, and pain. Thematic analysis with a combined deductive and inductive approach was used to analyze interview transcripts.

Three themes emerged. First, "experience of MS fatigue as 'one big tapestry'" described fatigue as deficits in physical and mental energy that were fluctuating and complex in their interaction with biological factors. Veterans described that MS fatigue negatively impacted daily activities of living, emotions, and cognitive functioning. Second, "managing MS fatigue through trial and error" revealed that Veterans expend significant time and effort learning and trialing fatigue management strategies based on their personal beliefs, military training/experiences, provider recommendations, and iterative learning. Most Veterans described energy management, relaxation, exercise, and adaptive thinking as helpful for managing fatigue. Interestingly, the helpfulness of medication for fatigue was highly variable, and none of the Veterans described medication as a standalone fatigue treatment. The third theme, "practicing flexibility with telehealth CBT for MS fatigue" revealed Veteran's enthusiasm about telehealth CBT for MS-related fatigue and highlighted the importance of flexible delivery to meet individual needs.

Veteran participants shared their experience of MS-related fatigue as well as management strategies that are consistent with previous research in civilians with MS fatigue. Notably, Veterans' preference for flexible nonpharmacological intervention can inform adaptation of telehealth CBT for Veterans with MS fatigue.