Abstract

Objective: To determine level of fatigue and factors associated with fatigue in clinical and non clinical physical therapy student.
Methodology: A group of 200 physical therapy students (100 clinical and 100 non-clinical) in Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Islamabad were selected from semester 1-10. 20 students were selected randomly from each semester (10 males and 10 females). All completed self questionnaire and Multidimensional Assessment Fatigue scale.
Results: There was no difference of fatigue level among clinical and non-clinical physical therapy students (t-score 0.246). 35.5% students did not complain of significant fatigue while 38% had mild-moderate level of fatigue and 26.5% had severe fatigue. Late night (64%) and less hours of sleep (64%) resulted in more fatigue. Another factor that resulted in more fatigue is travelling hour (72%) and travelling distance (83%). Gender differences in fatigue scores were small, but the variability among female (52%) was higher.
Conclusion: There was no significant difference of fatigue level among clinical and non-clinical physical therapy students. Sleep deprivation, long distance travelling were two major factors of fatigue among students.

Key words: Fatigue, sleep deprivation, physical activity, students