Central motor drive and perception of effort during fatigue in multiple sclerosis
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Springer Science & Business Media
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Computing, Health and Science
RAS ID
4982
Abstract
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. 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. 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. Submaximal fatiguing exercise is associated with an enhanced central motor drive and increased perception of effort in MS. 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.
DOI
10.1007/s00415-006-0159-2
Comments
Thickbroom, G. W., Sacco, P., Kermode, A. G., Archer, S. A., Byrnes, M. L., Guilfoyle, A., & Mastaglia, F. L. (2006). Central motor drive and perception of effort during fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, 253(8), 1048-53. Available here