Article

Hand grip strength in both the dominant and non-dominant hands is
often used to assess upper limb impairment. Excessive hand grip fatigability is
another important measure, as fatigability may also influence activities of daily
living. OBJECTIVE: To investigate to what extent hand grip fatigability in
multiple sclerosis is dependent on hand dominance, muscle strength and disease
progression. METHODS: Thirty persons with multiple sclerosis and 16 healthy
controls performed 15 repeated maximal hand grip contractions and a 30 s
sustained contraction in order to determine dynamic and static fatigue indices.
Fatigability was compared between the dominant and non-dominant hands and between
the more and less affected hands in a subgroup of persons with multiple sclerosis
with asymmetrical hand grip strength impairment. Furthermore, fatigability was
compared between controls and subgroups of persons with multiple sclerosis with
different disease progression. RESULTS: There was no difference in fatigability
between dominant and non-dominant hands in healthy controls or in persons with
multiple sclerosis. Similarly, there was no difference between the more and less
affected hands in the subgroup of persons with multiple sclerosis with
asymmetrical hand grip impairment. The dynamic fatigue index did not discriminate
persons with multiple sclerosis from controls. While the static fatigue index was
not different between healthy controls and persons with multiple sclerosis with
low to moderate (< 6) Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), it was
significantly higher in persons with multiple sclerosis with high (>/= 6) EDSS
scores. The static fatigue index was related to the EDSS score, but not to
maximal grip strength. CONCLUSION: Fatigability of hand grip strength in persons
with multiple sclerosis is not influenced by hand dominance or muscle strength,
but there is a correlation with disease progression. Differences in fatigability
between healthy controls and, in particular, persons with multiple sclerosis with
high EDSS, were found during sustained, but not during dynamic, contractions.

Langue : ANGLAIS