A new way of thinking about fatigue: a reconceptualization.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To present a reconceptualization of fatigue.

DATA SOURCES

Studies indexed in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Psyc INFO, SPORTDiscus, and CancerLit from 1995-2004; studies included in the bibliographies of indexed articles; and five qualitative studies conducted by the author.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Tiredness and exhaustion are conceptually distinct from fatigue. All three concepts are located along an adaptational continuum in a manner consistent with stress theory.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions should focus on the elimination or reduction of stressors and the increase of patients' resistance to stressors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Interventions that prevent or delay progression from tiredness to fatigue will be different from those that prevent or delay progression from fatigue to exhaustion.