How Physical Activity Fends Off Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis
Patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) exhibited reduced fatigue levels when they were in better physical condition and engaged in higher levels of daily activity ().
A lower disability rate was also associated with less fatigue. The study was published in the prestigious journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
Relationship Between Fatigue and Physical Activity in RRMS Patients
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in multiple sclerosis patients, but assessing its effects on patients' daily lives is challenging. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of RRMS patients' fatigue with their accelerometer-measured physical activity, as well as with their disability.‘Lowered disability rates, improved physical condition, and increased daily activity were linked to reduced fatigue levels in individuals with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). #multiplesclerosis’
The study used a wide range of different measurement methods, measuring physical activity with an accelerometer and measuring fatigue with two different meters (MFIS and FSS), and mapping disability using two different methods (EDSS and MSFC), including different physical performance tests.
Patients whose level of disability as assessed by the EDSS was at the level of 0-2.5, i.e., moderately low, were found to have a higher level of fatigue than healthy controls, but lower than patients whose level of disability was higher (EDSS 3-5.5). A significant relationship was found between fatigue and disability, and between daily physical activity and fatigue.
"The findings are interesting and support previous studies very well. Patients with MS should find a suitable form of exercise, taking into account their disability, which maintains their functional capacity and reduces fatigue," says Doctoral Researcher Marko Luostarinen of the University of Eastern Finland.
"This study is unique because it was large and used modern methods. However, more detailed research into patients' disability and actual physical activity levels is needed," Luostarinen points out.
Reference:
- Correlation of fatigue with disability and accelerometer-measured daily physical activity in patients with relapsing-remitting MS - (https:www.msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(23)00409-1/fulltext)