BACKGROUND: Understanding the relationship between perceived fatigue and performance fatigability could lead to more effective interventions to manage multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue. However, the relationship between self-perceived fatigue measured using the Neurological Fatigue Index (NFI-MS) and performance fatigability in people with MS is unknown. We sought to explore the relationship between the NFI-MS and performance fatigability in people with MS. METHODS: Fifty-two participants (mean ± SD age, 46.8 ± 10.1 years) completed the study. Three measures of performance fatigability were used: percent change in meters walked from first to last minute of the 6-Minute Walk Test, percent change in force exerted from first to last trial on a repetitive maximal hand grip test, and response speed variability on the Continuous Performance Test. Perceived physical and cognitive fatigue were measured using the NFI-MS. The state level of fatigue was examined immediately before and after performing the fatigability measures using a one-item visual analogue fatigue scale. RESULTS: Of the three performance fatigability measures, only the attentional task (response speed variability) was significantly associated with NFI-MS physical (r = 0.326, P = .020) and cognitive (r = 0.276, P = .050) domain scores. Participants demonstrated significantly higher state levels of fatigue after performing all performance fatigability measures (P ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS: The NFI-MS and the performance fatigability measures used in this study are easy to administer. We encourage wider use of these measures in clinical and research settings for comprehensive assessment of MS-related fatigue.
BACKGROUND: Understanding the relationship between perceived fatigue and performance fatigability could lead to more effective interventions to manage multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue. However, the relationship between self-perceived fatigue measured using the Neurological Fatigue Index (NFI-MS) and performance fatigability in people with MS is unknown. We sought to explore the relationship between the NFI-MS and performance fatigability in people with MS. METHODS: Fifty-two participants (mean ± SD age, 46.8 ± 10.1 years) completed the study. Three measures of performance fatigability were used: percent change in meters walked from first to last minute of the 6-Minute Walk Test, percent change in force exerted from first to last trial on a repetitive maximal hand grip test, and response speed variability on the Continuous Performance Test. Perceived physical and cognitive fatigue were measured using the NFI-MS. The state level of fatigue was examined immediately before and after performing the fatigability measures using a one-item visual analogue fatigue scale. RESULTS: Of the three performance fatigability measures, only the attentional task (response speed variability) was significantly associated with NFI-MS physical (r = 0.326, P = .020) and cognitive (r = 0.276, P = .050) domain scores. Participants demonstrated significantly higher state levels of fatigue after performing all performance fatigability measures (P ≤ .001). CONCLUSIONS: The NFI-MS and the performance fatigability measures used in this study are easy to administer. We encourage wider use of these measures in clinical and research settings for comprehensive assessment of MS-related fatigue.
Authors: Herb Karpatkin; Evan T Cohen; Adam Rzetelny; J Scott Parrott; Breanne Breismeister; Ryan Hartman; Ronald Luu; Danielle Napolione Journal: J Neurol Phys Ther Date: 2015-07 Impact factor: 3.649
Authors: John F Schnelle; Maciej S Buchowski; Talat A Ikizler; Daniel W Durkin; Linda Beuscher; Sandra F Simmons Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2012-08-02 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: W I McDonald; A Compston; G Edan; D Goodkin; H P Hartung; F D Lublin; H F McFarland; D W Paty; C H Polman; S C Reingold; M Sandberg-Wollheim; W Sibley; A Thompson; S van den Noort; B Y Weinshenker; J S Wolinsky Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2001-07 Impact factor: 10.422