Central motor drive and perception of effort during fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To determine if task performance and fatiguability during repeated low-level contractions of an intrinsic hand muscle differ in a group of MS subjects compared with a control group, and what central changes accompany the development of fatigue and the period of recovery, whether these measures are related to subjective ratings of fatigue or perception of effort.

METHODS:
Force of index finger abduction, rating of perceived effort, and motor evoked potential amplitude and silent period duration were measured during and after a 20-min. intermittent submaximal (40%) contraction of the first dorsal interosseous muscle in 23 clinically definite MS subjects with mild-moderate symptoms, and 15 controls.

RESULTS:
Rating of perceived effort increased at a greater rate in the MS group than in control subjects during exercise, and this was associated with larger increases in both MEP amplitude and silent period duration.

CONCLUSIONS:
Submaximal fatiguing exercise is associated with an enhanced central motor drive and increased perception of effort in MS.

SIGNIFICANCE:
MS subjects can increase central drive during fatiguing exercise to a greater degree than controls, but this is associated with greater perceived exertion. These factors may underlie the more general complaint of fatigue experienced by people with MS.

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Author information

Author/s: Thickbroom, Gary W (GW); Sacco, Paul (P); Kermode, Allan G (AG); Archer, Sarah A (SA); Byrnes, Michelle L (ML); Guilfoyle, Andrew (A); Mastaglia, Frank L (FL);

Affiliation: Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, University of Western Australia Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, 6009 Perth, WA, Australia. gthickbr(-atsign-)cyllene.uwa.edu.au

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of neurology (J Neurol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 253 (issue 8) : pp 1048-53

Dates: Created 2006/09/25; Completed 2006/10/26; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 16607472, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Case-Control Studies
Electromyography
Evoked Potentials, Motor
Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory
Fatigue - etiology; physiopathology
Female
Hand
Humans

Male
Middle Aged
Multiple Sclerosis - complications; physiopathology
Muscle Contraction
Physical Exertion
Psychomotor Performance
Questionnaires
Time Factors
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

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