3.2.2. SMART Goal Domains and Categories

Table 3 displays the 151 SMART goals sorted by domains and sub-categories, with corresponding goal attainment. Table 3 also demonstrates that the SMART goals were classified within the same functional domains as target outcomes, confirming that goals adhered to problem areas initially reported by patients. The three most frequent SMART goal categories were related to reduced capacity and fatigue, memory difficulties, and sleep problems. Most goals were set related to physical/somatic functioning, especially regarding fatigue and sleep. Examples of such goals were "prevent episodes of fatigue >6 (VAS) during the week" and "maintain a circadian rhythm and get up at a fixed time". Within the domain of cognitive functioning most goals were related to memory and cognitive executive functioning and included goals such as "establish routines to ensure finding my belongings" and "get started on everyday tasks and stop postponing things". Goals regarding emotional functioning were most often related to anxiety and irritability and included goals such as "be less bothered by worrisome thoughts when going to bed" and "prevent and deal with episodes of irritability/anger in a calm manner". Within the social domain, goals were most frequently related to social communication difficulties and included goals such as "contribute to a more open and positive family communication" and "manage to stop losing track and veering off-topic during conversations". A Kruskal–Wallis H test was run to determine if there were differences in GAS change scores across the four goal domains, i.e., cognitive (*n* = 38), physical/somatic (*n* = 53), emotional (*n* = 35), and social (*n* = 25). Median GAS change scores were the same for all domains (2), with no significant differences between them (χ2(3) = 2.674, *p* = 0.445).
