Using time diaries to inform occupational therapy practice for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome : An exploratory study

Journal article


Roxburgh, Rachel, Hughes, Julie Lesley and Milgate, Wendy Ann. (2024). Using time diaries to inform occupational therapy practice for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome : An exploratory study. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 87(9), pp. 583-592. https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226241249279
AuthorsRoxburgh, Rachel, Hughes, Julie Lesley and Milgate, Wendy Ann
Abstract

Introduction: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome affects an individual’s occupational participation. There is little understanding in Australia of occupational interventions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. This study explored how Australian adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome use their time and whether the National Institute of Health Activity Record can inform occupational interventions.

Method: Using a convergent mixed method, nine participants completed the National Institute of Health Activity Record time diary and five survey questions exploring clinical utility and the impact of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Data analysis included descriptive statistics for time-use data and an inductive thematic analysis for survey responses.

Results/Findings: Participants (aged 29–59 years) reported 58% of their time was spent awake and in recreation and leisure occupations. Quantitative data reflected no statistically significant change in participants’ symptoms, performance and motivation throughout the day. Six themes emerged from the qualitative data that highlighted participants’ experiences completing the National Institute of Health Activity Record and the impact of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome on their time-use.

Conclusion and Relevance: The National Institute of Health Activity Record provided insights into a participant’s time-use, which could inform occupational interventions. Modifying the National Institute of Health Activity Record format would improve usability for participants and reduce time for completion. Discussing results and extending the data collection period may capture the impact and fluctuations of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome more accurately.

KeywordsMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; occupational therapy; National Institute of Health Activity Record; time diary; ME/CFS
Year01 Jan 2024
JournalBritish Journal of Occupational Therapy
Journal citation87 (9), pp. 583-592
PublisherSage Publications Ltd. (UK)
ISSN0308-0226
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226241249279
Web address (URL)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03080226241249279
Open accessOpen access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range583-592
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License
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online19 May 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted04 Apr 2024
Deposited10 Sep 2024
Additional information

© The Author(s) 2024.

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
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Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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