Hand Motor Fatigability Induced by a Simple Isometric Task in Spinal Cord Injury

This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the hand motor fatigability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compare it with measurements obtained form an able-bodied population; (2) to compare the hand motor fatigability in people with tetraplegia and in people with paraplegia; and (3) to analyse if m...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ana Onate-Figuérez, Vanesa Soto-León, Juan Avendaño-Coy, Laura Mordillo-Mateos, Yolanda A. Pérez-Borrego, Carolina Redondo-Galán, Pablo Arias, Antonio Oliviero
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/17/5108
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Summary:This study aimed: (1) to evaluate the hand motor fatigability in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) and compare it with measurements obtained form an able-bodied population; (2) to compare the hand motor fatigability in people with tetraplegia and in people with paraplegia; and (3) to analyse if motor fatigability is different in people with SCI with and without clinical significant perceived fatigability. Materials and Methods: 96 participants with SCI (40 cervical and 56 thoracolumbar) and 63 able-bodied controls performed a simple hand isometric task to assess motor fatigability. The Fatigue Severity Scale was used for perceived fatigability evaluation. Results: The main results of this study can be summarized as follows: (1) the waning in muscle force (motor fatigability) during a fatiguing task is similar in controls and participants with SCI; (2) the motor fatigability is influenced by the maximal muscle force (measured at the beginning of the task); and (3) the perceived fatigability and the motor fatigability are largely independent in the individuals with SCI. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the capability to maintain a prolonged effort is preserved in SCI, and this capacity depends on the residual maximal muscle force in people with SCI.
ISSN:2077-0383