The measurement of fatigability severity in individuals with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls

Abstract

BackgroundMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that substantially diminishes one's ability to undertake daily living activities. Fatigue has been reported by at least 80 % of persons with MS (PwMS). Yet, little is known concerning the quantification of fatigability using prolonged walking tests. ObjectivesTo compare fatigability severity measures using the 10-minute walk test for PwMS against age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs). MethodsParticipants included 53 ambulatory PwMS and 49 HCs. Perceived fatigability was measured by dividing a participant's change in self-reported tiredness by the number of meters walked. Performance fatigability was calculated by dividing the change in walking speed (at 2.5 and 10 min) by the total distance walked in meters. ResultsThere was a significant difference in perceived fatigability between PwMS and HCs (mean difference: 2.73 ± 0.83; p = 0.001) and in performance fatigability (mean difference: 0.24 ± 0.11; p = 0.01). Moreover, there were significant differences in speed and distance at all time points (p ≤ 0.05) between PwMS and HCs. ConclusionsPwMS have significant walking deficits as reflected by greater fatigability in both perceived and performance measures. These methods can enhance therapeutic strategies that improve the walking performances of PwMS.