Relation between subjective and motor fatigue in MS patients

Fatigue is one of the most common complaints for patients with MS, and it often
has a strong influence on daily living. However, fatigue is a broad concept.
Motor fatigue is commonly measured during research, for example after a
fatiguing motor task. Until now, research has failed to find a relation between
fatigue as it is reported by patients on questionnaires, and the fatigue that
is measured during a fatuiging task (Romani et al, 2004; Surakka et al, 2004;
Sheean et al, 1997; Sharma et al, 1995). Previous research in our department,
however, seems to have found that subjective fatigue correlates with the scores
on the HADS and with a fatiguing motor task, when the latter one is corrected
for gender and maximal force (Steens et al, unpublished data). Together, these
two measurements explain approximately 70% of subjective fatigue. Further
research in a larger group of patients is needed in order to verify this data.

Is subjective fatigue in patients with MS related to a combination of force
reduction during a fatiguing task and depression score?

During the study, three questionnaires are administered and the fine motor
skills are determined. The force (using a force recorder) of the right index
finger abductor (FDI) are measured, while the subject is asked to delivere
maximal force during two minutes.

Fatiguing task

No risks, time investment for the subject is 1 hour.