Article

Fatigue, lower limb weakness and poor balance can significantly limit
safe mobility in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Further research is
required to elucidate relationships among these factors.
OBJECTIVE: To
investigate the effect of walking-induced fatigue on lower limb strength and
postural sway in people with moderately disabling MS. METHODS: Thirty-four people
(26 female) with moderate MS (mean Expanded Disability Status Scale of 3.7 +/-
0.7) underwent assessments of acute fatigue, postural sway and lower limb
strength before and after six-minute conditions of seated rest and walking. A
matched sample of 10 healthy controls also undertook identical assessments before
and after a six-minute walk. RESULTS: Significant time by condition effects for
all assessment measures indicated the six-minute walk induced fatigue with
associated increases in postural sway and reductions in lower limb strength in
people with MS. Increases in sway with eyes closed correlated with increases in
acute fatigue and self-reported impact of fatigue on physical and psychological
functioning. No changes were observed in healthy controls. CONCLUSION: People
with MS show signs of fatigue after 6 minutes of walking, including strength and
balance deficits. These findings have implications for both mobility and fall
risk in this group.

Langue : ANGLAIS