The Effect of the Level of Hand Fatigability on Multiple Sclerosis on

Treatment tested

• Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT)

Other measures (5)

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the level of hand fatigability on general fatigue and functionality by comparing Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis individuals with age and sex-matched healthy individuals. 23 RRMS and 23 healthy people (mean age 40.08, 21 females, mean time since diagnosis 9.43 years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale 3.23) were included in the study. To examine participants' fatigability level; for gross and pinch-grip Dynamic and Static Fatigue Index, for manual dexterity and functionality level Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) and Dexterity Questionnaire-24 (DextQ-24) were used. While Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) were used to examine general fatigue, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess emotional status. The mean age of healthy individuals with RRMS was 40.08 ± 9.81 years, and the EDSS means of individuals with RRMS was 3.23 ± 1.47. 21 of both groups were female and 2 were male. It was determined that the difference between MS individuals and healthy individuals' SARA, NHPT, FSS and FIS averages, initial and final strength values was statistically significant (p≤0.05), and the decrease in force in individuals with RRMS was higher than in healthy individuals. However, there was no difference between RRMS and healthy individuals in terms of fatigability levels examined with the Dynamic and Static Fatigue Index (p>0.05). While the relationship of Static and Dynamic Fatigue Index with FSS and FIS was not statistically significant, the relationship was significant with DextQ-24's dressing, daily activities and TV/CD/DVD subsections (p\<0.05). In individuals with early RRMS, there is a decrease in the repetitive (dynamic) and continuous (static) contractions of the rough and pinch grip strength, and this decrease is related to the negative impact on the daily living activities and functionality of the individuals. In particular, motor fatigue should be addressed from the early stages of rehabilitation programs that will be planned to maintain the active participation of individuals with RRMS in their daily living activities. To show motor fatigue with indices, further studies with different fatigue indices and individuals with RRMS at different EDSS levels are needed.