Development and Validation of the State-Trait Inventory of Cognitive Fatigue in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

The sample was community-dwelling and relatively healthy, so many relationships were weak and the results may not apply to people with neurological disease, severe fatigue, or cognitive impairment. Participants had to speak English, walk independently, and avoid significant loss of vision or hearing, which excludes some older adults clinicians see. The study did not follow participants over time, so it did not test whether the inventory predicts future function, decline, or rehabilitation progress. The inventory was administered by study personnel to ensure comprehension, so the results may not match self-administered use. The inventory was significantly related to depression scores, so clinicians should still consider mood when interpreting it.

The authors reported no conflict of interest between any of the authors or any organizations of which the authors are associated with.

Do not treat this as evidence that cognitive fatigue causes decline or that the inventory can guide treatment. It was validated in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults, and the study did not show that scores predict future outcomes or change patient management.