Managing Fatigue: Experiences From a 6-week Course for Adults With Cerebral Palsy

Objective: To explore experiences of a 6-week Fatigue Management course (FMC) in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).Design: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. The study process followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).Setting: The study was conducted in southeastern Sweden in an out-patient setting.Participants: Adults (N=8) with CP who had participated in FMC. Interventions: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measure: Qualitative content analysis of the transcribed interviews led to identification of a main category, categories, and subcategories, describing the participants' experiences of FMC.Results: The analysis identified 2 categories: Awareness regarding fatigue, with the 2 subcategories: A better understanding, and The feeling of not being alone; and Perceive opportunities for changes, with the 3 subcategories: Understanding the need for changes, Demanding process, and Taking steps toward change. These categories were summed up in the main category describing the participants' experiences of FMC: A challenging and eye-opening course that gave deeper self-understanding and thoughts about making changes.