Using the ICF framework to explore a multidisciplinary approach to fatigue following traumatic brain injury.

Background: Fatigue following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex, chronic symptom, which can significantly impact quality of life. Investigation into the types of fatigue addressed by the multidisciplinary team and consequent outcomes may assist clinicians to target their care. The use of health frameworks to explore such phenomena may increase a teams' ability to incorporate multifaceted interventions. The objective of this paper is to profile and map the available evidence for fatigue management used for the TBI population onto the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health framework. Methods: A scoping review was conducted and included papers that described an intervention focussing on post-TBI fatigue and used fatigue-specific outcome measures with an adult population. Studies were collated and summarised, and key findings are presented. Results: Forty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. The results indicate that post-traumatic fatigue interventions in the literature are conducted by singular professions, that there is a strong focus on a body functions approach, and that there is a discrepancy between intervention intent and measurement. Conclusion: Although there is variety in multidisciplinary fatigue treatment, further opportunities to develop interventions that target other health and function components, including activities and participation, environment, and personal factors, may enable a greater impact of fatigue management approaches. Fatigue is one of the biggest problems for everyday life following a brain injury. There are some treatment approaches that have positive effects but these do not adopt the team approach that is promoted for brain injury rehabilitation. The findings highlight that further research is needed to develop, evaluate, and implement a team approach to fatigue that can reduce the impacts on everyday life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]