Quantifying Energy and Fatigue: Classification and Assessment of Energy and Fatigue Using Subjective, Objective, and Mixed Methods towards Health and Quality of Life

Abstract

Energy and fatigue carry important implications for vitality and overall quality of life. Lacking energy and experiencing fatigue can be both burdensome as well as adaptive. This chapter first classifies energy and fatigue and then reviews their measurement. This chapter closes with opportunities for future directions.Energy and fatigue are present under varying conditions including in daily performance, during and after acute physical or mental strain (capacity), and in the context of chronic conditions. Energy and fatigue have been measured both subjectively and objectively. Subjective outcomes can be derived from self-reported scales and prompts; objective outcomes may be derived from performance and capacity tasks and technology-reported physiological, biological, and behavioural markers. The scales and tasks employed to measure energy have been traditionally validated but may lack daily life context and ecological validity. Prompts and behavioural monitoring methods are emerging as promising alternatives.Energy and fatigue have also been routinely monitored for specific diseases and occupations. However, fewer studies monitor healthy individuals through consumer technology in daily life contexts. More research is needed for an objective, unobtrusive, longitudinal, and contextual measurement of energy and fatigue in the healthy general population, in service of improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Reverse Engineering of Digital Measures: Inviting Patients to the Conversation

“…Furthermore, patients talked about their willingness to use digital monitoring, especially if it helped them understand their own symptoms better and helped other patients living with similar feelings of fatigue. Patient testimony has been incorporated into the design and planning of IDEA-FAST research; for example, multiple devices are currently being considered for use in measurement of different reported aspects of fatigue to reflect the multidimensional (physical, mental, and emotional) nature of this symptom [64] and inform future research into more complex diseases affecting multiple modalities. Early results, for example, with tools assessing cognitive symptoms [65], show high levels of acceptability in patients suffering from fatigue.…”

“…They spoke of their challenges communicating their invisible symptoms to different stakeholders including medical professionals: “Even talking to the consultant, by phone or talking, I don’t feel like I get my point over,” their family: “it has affected my social life; I don’t make plans to go out… I just get eye-rolling, and that is from my family!”, and even themselves: “It comes on so gradually, you just end up wearing it… it becomes part of life.” Furthermore, patients talked about their willingness to use digital monitoring, especially if it helped them understand their own symptoms better and helped other patients living with similar feelings of fatigue. Patient testimony has been incorporated into the design and planning of IDEA-FAST research; for example, multiple devices are currently being considered for use in measurement of different reported aspects of fatigue to reflect the multidimensional (physical, mental, and emotional) nature of this symptom [64] and inform future research into more complex diseases affecting multiple modalities. Early results, for example, with tools assessing cognitive symptoms [65] , show high levels of acceptability in patients suffering from fatigue.…”

Adaptation of the State and Trait Energy and Fatigue Scales by P.J. O’Connor in Russia

“…Энергичность и усталость измеряют как субъективными, так и объективными методами. В первом случае используют опросники для самостоятельной оценки, во втором -диагностику проводят в соответствии с результатами решения задач на способности и возможности человека, а также на основании физиологических, биологических и поведенческих маркеров, фиксируемых современными технологиями [31].…”