A Proof-of-Concept Investigation of an Energy Management Education Program to Improve Fatigue and Life Participation in Adults on Chronic Dialysis

Background: Fatigue and its negative impact on life participation are top research priorities of people on chronic dialysis therapy. Energy management education (EME) is a fatigue management approach that teaches people to use practical strategies (eg, prioritizing, using efficient body postures, organizing home environments) to manage their energy expenditure during everyday life. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore whether EME is associated with improvements in fatigue and life participation in adults on chronic dialysis. Design: Five single-case interrupted time-series AB studies, and follow-up qualitative interviews. Setting: The hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis units at an academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Patients: In total, 5 patients on chronic dialysis therapy were purposively selected to represent diversity in age, gender, and modality. Measurements: Brief questionnaires assessing fatigue and life participation were administered weekly during the baseline and intervention periods. Additional validated questionnaires (the Fatigue Impact Scale, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36] Vitality Scale, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure) were also administered at baseline and post-intervention. Methods: All participants underwent “The PEP Program,” a personalized, web-supported EME program designed to meet the needs of people on dialysis. During the program, participants complete 2 brief web modules about energy management, and then use energy management principles and a problem-solving framework to work on 3 life participation goals during sessions with a trained program administrator. Data were analyzed using visual analysis and the Tau- U statistic for the weekly time-series data, and thematic analysis for the qualitative interviews. Results: Three of 5 participants displayed a consistently positive response to the Personal Energy Planning (PEP) program across multiple measures of fatigue and life participation. Tau- U effect size estimates ranged from small to moderate, according to the time-series data. All 5 participants expressed that the program had benefited them in qualitative follow-up interviews, with the most common reported benefit being that the program made day-to-day activities easier. The format of the program was also said to be feasible and convenient. Limitations: An exploratory, proof-of-concept study that used a small set of participants and lacked an active control comparison. Conclusions: The PEP program might have potential for improving fatigue-related outcomes in people on chronic dialysis. Larger, controlled studies of the program are warranted.