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Physical Function, Muscle Strength, and Fatigue in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional
Olimar Leite de Assis Cunha1, Luciane Coral Siciliani1, Marcelo Barbosa Anzanel1
1SARAH International Center for Neurorehabilitation and Neurosciences, Rio de Janeiro 22775-040, RJ, Brazil.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
|December 24, 2025
Summary
Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience decreased physical function and strength, alongside increased fatigue. Knee muscle fatigue, particularly in extension, significantly impacts mobility and disability in MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently leads to impairments in physical function, muscle strength, and increased fatigue.
- Understanding these deficits is crucial for managing MS progression and patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate physical function, muscle strength, and fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
- To investigate the associations between these parameters within the MS population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 18 patients with MS and 27 controls.
- Physical function assessed via dynamic gait index (DGI), 2-minute walk test (2MWT), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
- Muscle strength and fatigue measured using a load cell; statistical analysis employed generalized linear models (GLMs).
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited poorer physical function, reduced muscle strength, and elevated fatigue levels compared to controls.
- Knee extension fatigue correlated significantly with DGI, 2MWT, and EDSS.
- Knee flexion fatigue and overall knee strength were associated with EDSS scores.
Conclusions:
- Patients with MS demonstrate diminished physical function, strength, and heightened fatigue, particularly affecting knee muscles.
- Knee-related measures, especially knee extension fatigue, showed the strongest associations with functional outcomes and disability in MS.
