Fatigue Linked With Reduced Walking Speed, Mobility in Multiple Sclerosis

Fatigue was associated with walking speed and mobility in a cohort of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), highlighting a need to better understand the impacts of fatigue on people with MS, a study published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders found.¹

People with MS often experience fatigue, with the Multiple Sclerosis Society reporting that 80% of those with MS are affected by it.² This type of chronic fatigue can negatively impact quality of life and mental health. In the current study, researchers assessed the relationship between fatigue and walking speed and mobility among patients with MS.¹ 

Results demonstrate correlations between fatigue and walking speed and mobility among patients with multiple sclerosis. | Image credit: kieferpix - stock.adobe.com

“Fatigue is a multidimensional and subjective symptom often reported by individuals with multiple sclerosis,” the authors wrote. “Fatigue seems to be related to walking speed and mobility limitations in individuals with multiple sclerosis. However, there are few studies that seek to investigate the relationship between fatigue and functional outcomes, such as walking speed and mobility.”

The researchers assessed fatigue with the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), which measures patient-reported fatigue impacts in cognitive, physical, and psychosocial domains. Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. Walking speed was assessed with the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and the timed up and go test (TUG) assessed mobility.

A total of 30 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 41 years. The majority (60%) of patients were female, and most (80%) had relapsing-remitting MS, with a mean time from diagnosis of 5.41 years. Overall, the mean MFIS score was 41.87 points, the mean usual walking speed in the 10MWT was 1.02 m/s, mean fast walking speed was 1.55 m/s, and mean TUG total time was 10.07 seconds. All patients had Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores of 6.5 or lower, as scores above 6.5 would make it impossible to perform the tests, the authors explained.

Regarding fatigue and walking speed, there was a significant moderate, negative correlation between fatigue and both usual walking speed (r = −0.51; P < .05) and fast walking speed (r = −0.54; P < .05). There was also a significant positive correlation between fatigue and mobility (r = 0.54; P < .05).

The results demonstrate significant correlations between fatigue and reductions in walking speed and mobility among patients with MS, making it the first study to the authors’ knowledge to show significant, moderate associations between fatigue, walking speed, and mobility in people with MS with EDSS scores of 6.5 or lower.

Study limitations included restricting the EDSS scores to 6.5 or lower, which reduces generalizability, but the findings suggest that managing fatigue in MS may also benefit gait speed and mobility.

“The present study demonstrates a correlation between fatigue, walking speed, and mobility, revealing that the presence of fatigue can influence lower walking performance and mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis,” the authors concluded. “Future studies are needed to assess whether there is a correlation between fatigue, walking speed, and mobility in individuals with other levels of disability. As well, future studies that investigate whether improving fatigue leads to better walking speed and mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis.”

References

1. Jesus VEA, Ribeiro MDCR, Garcia Azevedo S, et al. Fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: Is there a relationship with walking speed and mobility? Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024;88:105714. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2024.105714

2. Fatigue and multiple sclerosis. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Accessed August 13, 2024. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/what-is-ms/ms-symptoms/fatigue