Aerobic capacity explains physical functioning and participation in patients with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether aerobic capacity explains the level of self-reported physical activity, physical functioning, and participation and autonomy in daily living in persons with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PATIENTS: Sixty-two participants with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. METHODS: Aerobic capacity was measured with a leg ergometer and was expressed as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, in ml/kg/min). Physical activity was measured with the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (PASIPD), physical functioning with the Short Form 36 - physical functioning (SF36-pf), and participation and autonomy in daily living with the Impact on Participation and Autonomy questionnaire (IPA). Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusted for potential confounders (gender, age, body mass index, educational level, and employment status). RESULTS: Mean maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was 23.9 ml/kg/min (standard deviation (SD) 6.3 ml/kg/min). There was no significant relationship between VO2max and physical activity (PASIPD): ß = 0.320, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = -0.109 to 0.749, R2 = 10.8%. Higher VO2max correlated with better physical functioning (SF36-pf): ß = 1.527, 95% CI = 0.820-2.234, R2 = 25.9%, and was significantly related to IPA domains "autonomy indoors" (ß = -0.043, 95% CI = -0.067 to -0.020, R2 = 20.6%), "autonomy outdoors" (ß = -0.037, 95% CI = -0.062 to -0.012, R2 = 18.2%) and "social life and relationships" (ß=-0.033, 95% CI = -0.060 to -0.007, R2 = 21.3%). CONCLUSION: Maximum aerobic capacity was severely reduced in persons with multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. This partly explains the limited physical functioning and restrictions in participation and autonomy indoors, outdoors and in social life and relationships in these persons.

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a frequently occurring symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that limits social participation. OBJECTIVE: To systematically determine the short and long-term effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the treatment of MS-related fatigue. DATA SOURCES: Pubmed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, ERIC, PsychINFO, Cinahl, PsycARTICLES, and relevant trial registers were searched up to February 2016. In addition, references from retrieved articles were examined. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if participants had MS, fatigue was a primary outcome measure, the intervention was CBT, and the design was a randomized controlled trial. The search was performed by two independent reviewers, three CBT experts determined whether interventions were CBT. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on patient and study characteristics and fatigue were systematically extracted using a standardized data extraction form. Two independent reviewers assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. In the event of disagreement, a third reviewer was consulted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of the 994 identified studies, 4 studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 193 CBT-treated patients and 210 patients who underwent a control treatment. Meta-analyses of these studies showed that CBT treatment had a positive short-term effect on fatigue (standardized mean difference [SMD]=-0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI]=-0.88; -0.06; I2=73%). In addition, three studies showed a long-term positive effect of CBT (SMD=-0.30; CI -0.51; -0.08; I2=0%). CONCLUSIONS: This review found that the use of CBT for the treatment of fatigue in patients with MS has a moderately positive short-term effect. However, this effect decreases with cessation of treatment.

The role of appraisal and coping style in relation with societal participation in fatigued patients with multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional multiple mediator analysis.

To determine the relationship between appraisal and societal participation in fatigued patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and whether this relation is mediated by coping styles. 265 severely-fatigued MS patients. Appraisal, a latent construct, was created from the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the helplessness and acceptance subscales of the Illness Cognition Questionnaire. Coping styles were assessed using the Coping Inventory Stressful Situations (CISS21) and societal participation was assessed using the Impact on Participation and Autonomy. A multiple mediator model was developed and tested by structural equation modeling on cross-sectional data. We corrected for confounding by disease-related factors. Mediation was determined using a product-of-coefficients approach. A significant relationship existed between appraisal and participation (ß = 0.21, 95 % CI 0.04-0.39). The pathways via coping styles were not significant. In patients with severe MS-related fatigue, appraisal and societal participation show a positive relationship that is not mediated by coping styles.

Real-Time Assessment of Fatigue in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: How Does It Relate to Commonly Used Self-Report Fatigue Questionnaires?

OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess real-time patterns of fatigue; (2) to assess the association between a real-time fatigue score and 3 commonly used questionnaires (Checklist Individual Strength [CIS] fatigue subscale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS]); and (3) to establish factors that confound the association between the real-time fatigue score and the conventional fatigue questionnaires in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: MS-specialized outpatient facility. PARTICIPANTS: Ambulant patients with MS (N=165) experiencing severe self-reported fatigue. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A real-time fatigue score was assessed by sending participants 4 text messages on a particular day (How fatigued do you feel at this moment?; score range, 0-10). Latent class growth mixed modeling was used to determine diurnal patterns of fatigue. Regression analyses were used to assess the association between the mean real-time fatigue score and the CIS fatigue subscale, MFIS, and FSS. Significant associations were tested for candidate confounders (eg, disease severity, work status, sleepiness). RESULTS: Four significantly different fatigue profiles were identified by the real-time fatigue score, namely a stable high (n=79), increasing (n=57), stable low (n=16), and decreasing (n=13). The conventional questionnaires correlated poorly (r<.300) with the real-time fatigue score. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale significantly reduced the regression coefficient between the real-time fatigue score and conventional questionnaires, ranging from 15.4% to 35%. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived fatigue showed 4 different diurnal patterns in patients with MS. Severity of sleepiness is an important confounder to take into account in the assessment of fatigue.

Feasibility and Safety of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and safety of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). DATA SOURCES: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, ERIC, and the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection were searched up to October 2014. References from retrieved articles were examined to identify additional relevant studies. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion of original studies was on the basis of performance of maximal CPET, description of the protocol, and participants with definite MS aged ≥18 years. No language restrictions were applied. DATA EXTRACTION: The quality of CPET reporting in included studies was scored according to a structured checklist considering 10 feasibility (eg, test abnormalities) and 12 safety quality criteria (eg, adverse events). Structured data extraction was performed for these feasibility and safety features of CPET. DATA SYNTHESIS: Forty-six studies were included, comprising 1483 patients with MS, with a mean age ± SD of 42.0±5.8 years and a median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 2.8 (first quartile=2.1; third quartile=3.9; range of average EDSS scores, .75-5.8). Quality of reporting on CPET varied from 3 to 13 out of a possible 22 quality points. The percentage of test abnormalities (feasibility) was 10.0%, primarily because of an inability to maintain pedaling at a specific resistance. The percentage of adverse events (safety) was 2.1%. All adverse events were temporary. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the available data, we conclude that CPET is feasible provided that the CPET modality is tailored to the physical abilities of the patient. Furthermore, CPET is safe when recommended precautions and safety measures are implemented. However, future optimization of CPET will require protocolized testing and the implementation of standard reporting procedures.

Reliability and responsiveness of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in fatigued persons with multiple sclerosis and low to mild disability.

BACKGROUND: Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) via cardiopulmonary exercise testing is considered the gold standard for testing aerobic capacity in healthy participants and people with various medical conditions. The reliability and responsiveness of cardiopulmonary exercise testing outcomes in persons with MS (PwMS) have not been extensively studied. OBJECTIVE: (1) to investigate the reliability of cardiopulmonary exercise parameters in PwMS; (2) to determine the responsiveness, in terms of the smallest detectable change (SDC), for each parameter. DESIGN: Two repeated measurements of cardiopulmonary exercise outcomes were obtained, with a median time interval of 16 days. METHODS: Thirty-two PwMS suffering from subjective fatigue performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests on a cycle ergometer, to voluntary exhaustion. We calculated the reliability, in terms of the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC [2,k]; absolute agreement), and the measurement error, in terms of standard error of measurement (SEM) and SDC at individual (SDCindividual) and group level (SDCgroup). RESULTS: The ICC for VO2peak was 0.951, with an SEM of 0.131 L∙min(-1) and an SDCindividual of 0.364 L∙min(-1). When corrected for bodyweight, the ICC of VO2peak was 0.933, with an SEM of 1.7 mL∙kg(-1)∙min(-1) and in an SDCindividual of 4.6 mL∙kg(-1)∙min(-1). LIMITATIONS: Generalization of our study results is restricted to fatigued PwMS with a low to mild level of disability. CONCLUSIONS: At individual level, cardiopulmonary exercise testing can be used reliably to assess physical fitness in terms of VO2peak, but less so to determine significant changes. At group level, VO2peak can be reliably used to determine physical fitness status and establish change over time.