FACETS: A Fatigue Management Group : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Fatigue management is the most frequent reason for why people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are referred to outpatient occupational therapy at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN).

Alongside completing one-to-one fatigue management sessions, the department now offers this in a group format. This is an evidence-based approach called FACETS which was developed through MS Society funded research.

What does FACETS mean?

FACETS stands for Fatigue: Applying Cognitive Behavioural and Energy effectiveness Techniques to LifeStyle

It is a group intervention that provides education and problem solving on energy effectiveness, cognitive behavioural approaches and the opportunity for peer support. The aim is to help normalise fatigue, learn helpful ways of thinking about fatigue and how to use available energy more efficiently.

Outline

It is a group-based program of up to –10-15 participants running over six weekly sessions for 1 – 1 ¼ hours. It is a confidential group that runs on a Wednesday from 16:30. The group will be virtual on the platform Zoom Healthcare. Further details of how to access the group remotely will be emailed to you once you have confirmed your attendance. The programme is delivered by two healthcare professionals following a structured format, which includes:

Sessions	Overview
1. What is MS Fatigue	General introduction & types of fatigue
2 .Your energy levels	Importance of rest, exercise & sleep
3. Budgeting energy	Balancing activities & toolbox of techniques
4. Stress and the cognitive behavioural model	Stress response & management, cognitive behavioural model
5. Putting unhelpful thoughts on trial	Unhelpful thoughts & how to challenge these
6. Taking the programme forward	Recapping and taking the programme forwards

Is FACETS right for you?

It’s important to consider the following:

If English is your second language and/or you experience cognitive difficulties (memory, attention, concentration) which may impact on your involvement within the group, then please discuss your referral with us before attending. One-to-one sessions are available if you prefer.
Can you commit to the six-week programme?
Is your travel distance feasible?

The feedback received from other patients who have attended this group has been positive, and people often find the peer support is very helpful.

How can you be referred?

You can request a referral to FACETS from your NHNN consultant, MS Nurse Specialist or from another health professional at NHNN, for example if you are known to a physiotherapist.

Additional information

MyCare UCLH is our new digital patient portal accessible on a computer, smartphone or tablet. Patients who sign up to MyCare UCLH can safely and securely access information about their care at UCLH. At the beginning and end of the FACETS course, you will be sent outcome measures via MyCare. These are in the format of two short questionnaires.

Please try and be on time for each session and try to attend all six sessions. If you do not attend the first session and/or do not attend two sessions out of six, you will be discharged from the group programme.