A new way of thinking about fatigue: a reconceptualization.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To present a reconceptualization of fatigue. DATA SOURCES Studies indexed in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Psyc INFO, SPORTDiscus, and CancerLit from 1995-2004; studies included in the bibliographies of indexed articles; and five qualitative studies conducted by the author. DATA SYNTHESIS Tiredness and exhaustion are conceptually distinct from fatigue. All three concepts are located along an adaptational continuum in a manner consistent with stress theory. CONCLUSIONS Interventions should focus on the elimination or reduction of stressors and the increase of patients' resistance to stressors. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Interventions that prevent or delay progression from tiredness to fatigue will be different from those that prevent or delay progression from fatigue to exhaustion.