Neurophysiological Measure Reliability in People with Multiple Sclerosis

This study assessed the reliability of various knee extensor and wrist flexor neurophysiological measures in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and matched healthy controls. Reliability levels were good to excellent for maximum voluntary force and peak M-wave amplitude, with moderate to excellent reliability for voluntary activation and motor evoked potential. Reliability for short-interval intracortical inhibition and cortical silent period varied from poor to good.

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Source: Read original source (PMID 42762584)

This plain-English summary was written by AI from a published abstract and may contain errors. It is not medical advice. Read the original study and talk to your MS team before making decisions about treatment.

Why it matters

These findings provide insight into how reliably certain neurophysiological measures can assess muscle function in PwMS, especially under conditions of fatigue. Reliable measures are crucial for both research and potential clinical applications.

What this does not prove

While the study established reliability estimates for neurophysiological measures, it did not determine their clinical significance related to fatigue levels in patients.

Next milestone

No next milestone was established from the available source.

Study facts

Study design: Observational
Participants / samples: Not reported
Randomised: Not reported
Controlled: Yes
Primary endpoint met: Not reported
Relevant MS type: Not reported
Publication date: 2026-09-11
Evidence reviewed: Abstract only
Regulatory approval: Not reported
Research areas: Not classified

Original sources

Primary evidenceReliability of neurophysiological measures in the upper- and lower-limb skeletal muscles of people experiencing high and low levels of multiple sclerosis fatigue. ↗DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2026.107920

Supporting passages (6)

study designThis study investigated the test-retest reliability of a broad range of knee extensor (KE) and wrist flexor (WF) neurophysiological measures in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and matched healthy controls, before and after a submaximal intermittent exercise bout to task failure.

subjectsThis study investigated the test-retest reliability of a broad range of knee extensor (KE) and wrist flexor (WF) neurophysiological measures in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and matched healthy controls, before and after a submaximal intermittent exercise bout to task failure.

controlledThis study investigated the test-retest reliability of a broad range of knee extensor (KE) and wrist flexor (WF) neurophysiological measures in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and matched healthy controls, before and after a submaximal intermittent exercise bout to task failure.

findingsWith the caveat of wide 95% confidence intervals for some measures, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for KE and WF in MS-HF and MS-LF (pre- and post-fatigue task) were good to excellent (ICC 0.76-0.98) for maximum voluntary force production and peak M-wave amplitude (Mmax); moderate to excellent for voluntary activation (ICC 0.57-0.96) and peak motor evoked potential (MEP)/Mmax (ICC 0.72-0.94) and poor to good for short‑interval intracortical inhibition (SICI; ICC 0.48-0.87) and cortical silent period (SP; ICC 0.23-0.89).

publication datePublication date: 2026-09-11

limitationsTitle: Reliability of neurophysiological measures in the upper- and lower-limb skeletal muscles of people experiencing high and low levels of multiple sclerosis fatigue.

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