Unique contribution of fatigue to disability in community-dwelling adults with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the unique contribution of fatigue to self-reported disability in community-dwelling adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional cohort design.

SETTING

Community dwellings.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (N=50) with a history of mild to severe TBI were assessed.

INTERVENTION

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

This study assessed the contribution of fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale) to disability (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory), controlling for executive functions (Frontal Systems Behavior Scale), depression status (major depression in partial remission/current major depression/depressive symptoms or no history of depression), and initial injury severity (uncomplicated mild, complicated mild, moderate, or severe).

RESULTS

Fatigue was found to contribute uniquely to the variance in self-reported disability (β=.47, P<.001) after controlling for injury severity, executive functions, and depression status. The overall model was significant (F(4,45)=17.32, P<.001) and explained 61% of the variance in self-reported disability, with fatigue alone accounting for 12% of the variance in self-reported disability (F(1,45)=13.97, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue contributes uniquely to disability status among community-dwelling adults with chronic TBI, independent of injury severity, executive functions, and depression. Addressing fatigue through targeted interventions may help to improve self-perceived disability in this population.