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Prominent Fatigue but No Motor Fatigability in Non-Hospitalized Patients With Post-COVID-Syndrome
Christian Weich1,2, Christian Dettmers2, Romina Saile1,2
1Department of Sports Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
Frontiers in Neurology
|July 18, 2022
Summary
Patients with post-COVID syndrome often report severe motor fatigue. However, objective tests show most do not exhibit motor fatigability, suggesting no significant motor system damage. Many patients were more capable than expected.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Post-COVID syndrome frequently presents with disabling fatigue.
- Motor fatigue is a significant concern, prompting investigation into potential underlying organic causes.
- Comparison to conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) aids in understanding potential motor system involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate motor fatigability in post-COVID syndrome patients using objective treadmill tests.
- To determine if objective evidence of motor system lesions exists, similar to MS.
- To correlate subjective fatigue with objective performance measures.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-nine non-hospitalized post-COVID syndrome patients underwent treadmill walking tests.
- Subjective fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Function (FSMC).
- Objective measures included oxygen uptake, ventilation, foot acceleration, and the Fatigue Index Kliniken Schmieder (FKS).
Main Results:
- Most patients reported severe subjective motor and cognitive fatigue (FSMC scores).
- Only two subjects showed objective motor performance fatigability (FKS > 4).
- No significant correlation was found between subjective fatigue (FSMC) and objective measures (FKS, walking time).
Conclusions:
- Post-COVID syndrome patients with severe subjective motor fatigue generally do not exhibit objective motor fatigability.
- Findings argue against permanent organic damage to the motor system, unlike in MS.
- Many patients demonstrated a higher motor capacity than anticipated.
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