Oxygen cost of walking in people with Multiple Sclerosis and its association with fatigue: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scott Rooney*, Gavin McWilliam, Leslie Wood, Fiona Moffat, Lorna Paul

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
95 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the oxygen cost of walking in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and controls and to assess the relationship between oxygen cost of walking and fatigue in individuals with MS.

Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, Web of Science) were searched up to September 2020. Studies were included if they recruited adults with MS and either compared oxygen cost of walking in those with MS and a control population or determined the relationship between oxygen cost of walking and fatigue. Meta-analysis of the standardized mean difference in oxygen cost of walking between individuals with MS and controls was performed.

Results: Nine studies were included in this review, of which 7 compared oxygen cost of walking in individuals with MS (n = 176) and controls (n = 142) and 4 investigated the relationship between oxygen cost of walking and fatigue. Meta-analysis revealed that individuals with MS (with predominantly mild-to-moderate disability) had a significantly higher oxygen cost of walking compared with controls (standardized mean difference = 2.21, 95% CI = 0.88 to 3.54, P = .001). In addition, 3 studies found a significant yet weak positive association between oxygen cost of walking and fatigue.

Conclusions: Individuals with MS expend more energy when walking compared with controls. This increase in energy expenditure may contribute to the development of fatigue, as some studies found that higher oxygen costs of walking were associated with greater fatigue. Future studies should investigate whether reducing energy expenditure during movement improves fatigue.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)74-80
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of MS Care
Volume24
Issue number2
Early online date9 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022

Keywords

  • rehabilitation strategies
  • rehabilitation
  • oxygen cost
  • fatigue

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Advanced and Specialised Nursing

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