Article

Effective treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS)-associated central fatigue have
not been established. Surface functional electrical stimulation (FES), which can
challenge the peripheral neuromuscular system without overloading the central
nervous system, is a relatively safe therapeutic strategy. We investigated the
effect of 8 weeks of surface FES training on the levels of general, central, and
peripheral fatigue in MS patients. Seven of nine individuals with MS (average
age: 42.86 +/- 13.47 years) completed 8 weeks of quadriceps muscle surface FES
training. Maximal voluntary contraction, voluntary activation level, twitch
force, General Fatigue Index (FI), Central Fatigue Index (CFI), Peripheral
Fatigue Index, and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) scores were determined
before and after training. The results showed that FI (p = 0.01), CFI (p = 0.02),
and MFIS (p = 0.02) scores improved significantly after training. Improvements in
central fatigue contributed significantly to improvements in general fatigue (p <
0.01). The results of the current study showed that central fatigue was a primary
limitation in patients with MS during voluntary exercise and that 8 weeks of
surface FES training for individuals with MS led to significantly reduced
fatigue, particularly central fatigue.

Langue : ANGLAIS