Testing the effectiveness of a Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) intervention for individuals with inflammatory arthritis: Study protocol for a randomized control trial.

Background: A work-focused fatigue management intervention, Fatigue and Activity Management Education for Work (FAME-W) programme was developed for individuals with inflammatory arthritis (IA) to manage fatigue in order to maintain demands of their work activities and tasks. This paper presents the protocol for a randomized control trial that will test the effectiveness and acceptability of FAME-W in improving work performance.

Methods: This protocol presents a multisite randomized control trial and mixed methods process evaluation. Eligible participants will be aged 18-65 years with a diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis and will be in paid employment. The primary outcome of the study will be Work Role Functioning (WRF) questionnaire, and the secondary outcomes will be fatigue, mood, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and pain. Data will be collected immediately pre- and post-intervention and at 3 months of follow-up. The process evaluation will consist of focus groups and individual interviews to explore participants' experiences of FAME-W. Occupational therapists delivering the programme will complete a facilitator log to assess the fidelity and quality of intervention implementations. Facilitators will participate in individual interviews to explore intervention delivery and acceptability.

Results: Results will be expected to show that FAME-W will improve work performance by helping participants gain self-management strategies around managing fatigue and other symptoms related to fatigue.

Conclusion: It is hoped that FAME-W will be an effective and acceptable intervention for individuals with IA in improving work performance by helping them manage their symptoms.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05138445, Registered on 30 November 2021.