PRECOOLING EFFECTS ON FATIGUE AND MOTOR FUNCTION IN MS

Increased body temperature in MS can produce transient neurological signs. PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of lower limb cooling on fatigue and motor function in MS patients with minimal (MIN; EDSS = 2.0–3.5; n = 15) or moderate (MOD; EDSS = 4.0–6.5; n = 15) disability, and healthy controls (CON; n = 10). METHOD: Subjects were cooled twice via water immersion (20 °C) to the suprailiac crest for 30 min (COOL) and 5 min (SHAM) before exercise. The following were administered before, immediately after, and 30 min after exercise for COOL and SHAM trials: 25-ft walk, 10 sec finger tap, and Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). Exercise consisted of arm/leg ergometry at 60% VO2 peak for 30 min. RESULT: After COOL, core temperature (Trec) was −0.24, −0.12, and −0.78 °C from baseline for CON, MIN, and MOD, respectively. SHAM produced no Trec changes. Following exercise, Trec were +0.21, +0.36, and −0.24 °C from baseline after COOL, and +0.60, +0.68, and +0.55 °C from baseline after SHAM for CON, MIN, and MOD, respectively. FIS scores were significantly different at baseline (CON < MIN < MOD) for COOL and SHAM (p < 0.05). MOD exhibited significantly greater fatigue immediately postexercise with SHAM (p < 0.05). Walking deteriorated immediately postexercise for MIN and MOD for COOL and SHAM, although MOD slowed significantly more after SHAM (p < 0.05). MOD had significantly lower tapping scores at each measurement (p < 0.05). COOL did not result in improved tapping performance for any group. CONCLUSION: Precooling attenuated Trec increases during exercise and positively influenced fatigue and function. Supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society