Why do people with multiple sclerosis fatigue more easily than healthy individuals?
Type of Study/Intervention
Non-interventional
Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Form of MS
All forms of MS (Relapsing remitting MS/Secondary progressive MS/Primary progressive MS/Relapsing MS) and people without MS
Brief Summary
Up to 80% of people with MS experience fatigue, and half of those affected by fatigue report challenges when performing work, exercise, and activities of daily living. This not only impacts on the individual, but also on the family and friends of the person with MS. For many decades, researchers have studied mechanisms underlying fatigue from a neural perspective and a muscular perspective. However, there is a lack of translation of this work into the MS population. Our project will use cutting-edge neurophysiology methods to assess fatigue-related factors in people with MS. We will examine how the
central nervous system and how the muscle is compromised during fatigue tasks that reflect muscle contraction intensities that people with MS may experience in their everyday lives. We will then delve further into muscle physiology and study underlying muscle metabolic consequences of MS, and how this may impact on fatigue characteristics in this population. Overall, this project will allow us to better develop treatment of MS that help manage and alleviate symptoms of fatigue.
Inclusion Criteria
• People with and without MS
• Age 20-65 years old
• Male and Female
• Able to perform an upper body (biceps) muscle contraction
Exclusion Criteria
• Pregnancy
• Visual impairment
• Neurological disorders (besides MS)
• Implanted medical devices (pacemaker etc.) or metal within the body
• Peripheral nerve pathologies affected the upper limb
• Experienced a MS relapse within the last 3 months
Anticipated Start Date
Already commenced August 2020
Recruitment Contact
Emily Brotherton
Email: emily.brotherton@griffithuni.edu.au
Phone: 0474 507 600
Further Details
Please contact Emily Brotherton for further details
Region
Southport, Gold Coast, QLD
Ethics Approval
Yes
Last updated
4 December 2020
