The experience of fatigue in older adults: a qualitative metasynthesis

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q3 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Geriatric Nursing Pub Date : 2025-09-30 DOI:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103641

Yiming Wei , Mingzhu Lu , Ruili Zhang , Huijuan Li , Jiahui Zhai , Xiaohai Chen

{"title":"The experience of fatigue in older adults: a qualitative metasynthesis","authors":"Yiming Wei , Mingzhu Lu , Ruili Zhang , Huijuan Li , Jiahui Zhai , Xiaohai Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103641","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To better understand the lived experience of fatigue in older adults by systematically evaluating and integrating qualitative studies of fatigue in older adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A computer-based search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsychINFO, CNKI, Wanfang Date, and VIP database was conducted for qualitative studies on fatigue experiences in older adults, and the search period was from the establishment of the databases to 27 August 2024. The qualitative research quality evaluation criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-based Health Care Center in Australia was used to evaluate quality of studies. The results were integrated by meta-integration method.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 8 papers were included. Data extracted from eligible studies resulted in 37 findings, which were then aggregated into ten categories based on the similarity in meaning. Four synthesized findings were generated: poor life experiences, negative emotional experiences, multiple coping styles, and unmet needs.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Fatigue is prevalent among older adults and affects their physical, psychological, and social functioning. This study reveals the complexity of fatigue experience in older adults. In the future, when making nursing plans for the elderly, researchers and healthcare workers should pay attention to their fatigue experience. They should help the elderly improve their ability to prevent and self-manage fatigue, reduce the impact of fatigue on them, and promote the improvement of their quality of life.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56258,"journal":{"name":"Geriatric Nursing","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article 103641"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Geriatric Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457225004847","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

To better understand the lived experience of fatigue in older adults by systematically evaluating and integrating qualitative studies of fatigue in older adults.

Methods

A computer-based search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsychINFO, CNKI, Wanfang Date, and VIP database was conducted for qualitative studies on fatigue experiences in older adults, and the search period was from the establishment of the databases to 27 August 2024. The qualitative research quality evaluation criteria of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-based Health Care Center in Australia was used to evaluate quality of studies. The results were integrated by meta-integration method.

Results

A total of 8 papers were included. Data extracted from eligible studies resulted in 37 findings, which were then aggregated into ten categories based on the similarity in meaning. Four synthesized findings were generated: poor life experiences, negative emotional experiences, multiple coping styles, and unmet needs.

Conclusion

Fatigue is prevalent among older adults and affects their physical, psychological, and social functioning. This study reveals the complexity of fatigue experience in older adults. In the future, when making nursing plans for the elderly, researchers and healthcare workers should pay attention to their fatigue experience. They should help the elderly improve their ability to prevent and self-manage fatigue, reduce the impact of fatigue on them, and promote the improvement of their quality of life.

查看原文本刊更多论文

老年人的疲劳体验：一种定性的综合。

目的：通过对老年人疲劳定性研究的系统评价和整合，更好地了解老年人疲劳的生活体验。方法：计算机检索Cochrane Library、PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、PsychINFO、CNKI、万方Date、VIP等数据库，对老年人疲劳体验进行定性研究，检索时间为数据库建立至2024年8月27日。采用澳大利亚乔安娜布里格斯研究所循证卫生保健中心的质性研究质量评价标准评价研究质量。采用元积分法对结果进行综合。结果：共纳入8篇论文。从符合条件的研究中提取的数据产生了37个发现，然后根据意义上的相似性将其汇总为10个类别。产生了四个综合结果：糟糕的生活经历、消极的情绪经历、多种应对方式和未满足的需求。结论：疲劳在老年人中普遍存在，并影响他们的身体、心理和社会功能。这项研究揭示了老年人疲劳体验的复杂性。今后，研究人员和医护人员在制定老年人护理计划时，应注意老年人的疲劳体验。要帮助老年人提高预防和自我管理疲劳的能力，减少疲劳对老年人的影响，促进老年人生活质量的提高。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Geriatric Nursing 医学-护理

CiteScore

3.80

自引率

7.40%

发文量

257

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Geriatric Nursing is a comprehensive source for clinical information and management advice relating to the care of older adults. The journal''s peer-reviewed articles report the latest developments in the management of acute and chronic disorders and provide practical advice on care of older adults across the long term continuum. Geriatric Nursing addresses current issues related to drugs, advance directives, staff development and management, legal issues, client and caregiver education, infection control, and other topics. The journal is written specifically for nurses and nurse practitioners who work with older adults in any care setting.