Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and poorly understood challenges in occupational therapy practice, limiting participation, reducing performance, and disrupting occupational identity. Yet evidence-informed approaches to its management remain limited.

The Mindfulness-Informed Fatigue Management (MIFM) Programme reframes fatigue not as an obstacle to overcome, but as a regulatory signal to understand and work with intelligently. Developed over a decade of clinical practice and lived experience of cognitive fatigue, MIFM is an eight-week, trauma-informed intervention co-produced with participants for delivery within occupational therapy practice, weaving mindfulness training together with evidence-based fatigue-management strategies and supporting clients to work with their natural ultradian rhythms for maximum physiological benefit.

MIFM is a ready-to-use course that sits alongside existing clinical approaches. The detailed manual functions as a client workbook, incorporating meditation diaries and self-care activities, with a QR code providing instant access to a curated digital library of psychoeducational webinars, guided meditations, mindful movement, and self-care resources supporting both in-session delivery and independent home practice.

A recent pilot study explored MIFM with individuals experiencing neurological conditions. Validated outcome measures demonstrated positive change across the majority of completers: fatigue severity and resilience each improved in six of eight participants, with additional reductions in perceived stress and psychological inflexibility, though statistical significance was not reached owing to the small sample size.

Crucially, these changes translated into real-world impact: participants resumed valued activities, re-engaged socially and some returned to work. All reported reduced emotional reactivity in triggering situations and increased acceptance of fatigue. Thematic analysis of focus group data identified three core themes, ‘safety’, ‘learning’, and ‘gratitude’. As one participant reflected: "It's massively changed my life… it's become a lifestyle."

MIFM is not only for the people we support. With burnout and compassion fatigue a growing reality across the profession, the programme offers occupational therapists a practical route to sustainable self-care and resilience, with 16 CPD hours endorsed by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB) on completion of the 8-week online course.

MIFM is a clinically grounded, evidence-informed programme that transforms how fatigue is understood and managed in occupational therapy practice.