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• Electromagnetic field therapy did not have an impact on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue in adults with minimal to significant disability. • The effect of electromagnetic fields was similar to placebo for measures of walking performance. • Magnetic field therapy did not evoke changes in depressive symptoms or quality of life. Multiple sclerosis has a great disability burden. Management of the disease is complex, and patients often seek new conservative approaches. To investigate the effect of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, compared to placebo, on the level of fatigue, walking performance, symptoms of depression, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Forty-four adults with RRMS and minimal to significant disability were randomly assigned to a 4-week protocol using a PEMF or a placebo whole-body mat. The PEMF group were initially treated with 15Hz frequency, gradually increased to 30Hz (intensity between 25-35µT). The primary outcome was fatigue, assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). Secondary measures included walking function (GAITRite system and Timed 25-Foot Walk test), the Beck Depression Inventory-II, and the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline, after intervention, and at 3-months post-intervention (follow-up). There were no differences between groups for changes in fatigue symptoms from baseline to end of intervention (mean and 95% confidence interval FSS: -0.6, 95%CI: -1.3, 0.1; MFIS: -5.4, 95% CI: -15.1, 4.4) or at follow-up (FSS: -0.6, 95% CI: -1.4, 0.2; MFIS: -2.1, 95% CI: -10.9, 6.8). Similarly, both groups did not differ for any of the secondary outcomes at post-intervention or follow-up. Low-frequency PEMF therapy is no more effective than placebo to produce changes in fatigue, gait performance, severity of depression, and QOL in people with RRMS and minimal to significant disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the effect of induced fatigue on spatiotemporal gait parameters in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) by using 6‐min walk test (6MWT). Methods: A cross‐sectional study with a control group (25 healthy persons) was performed. Fifty‐six PwMS (37 female) were divided into three groups according to their level of disability, as measured by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS): mild (n = 23, EDSS = 1.0–3.5), moderate (n = 19, EDSS = 4.0–5.5), and severe (n = 12, EDSS = 6.0–6.5). Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured by the GAITRite electronic walkway before and after 6MWT performance. In addition, to determine the level of fatigue in PwMS, the participants completed the questionnaire modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS) before performing the 6MWT. Statistical analyses were performed to compare intragroup and intergroup differences. Results: Fatigue level was lower in the mild (37.6 ± 20.5) versus moderate (54.3 ± 17.2) versus severe (53.6 ± 12.9) groups (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found among all the groups in terms of the distance walked during the 6MWT (p = 0.001) and of the spatiotemporal gait parameters: gait velocity (cm/s), cadence (steps/min), and step length (cm) decreased and, on the contrary, step time (sec), stance, and double support time (% gait cycle) increased when EDSS scores were higher (p < 0.05). The percentage of change (%) in the spatiotemporal gait parameters, after 6MWT performance, was statistically significant in the moderate and severe groups: gait velocity (−8.8%, −25.9%) and step length (−6.5%, −13.4%) decreased, whereas step time (3.0%, 15.0%), double support time (8.8%, 19.1%), step time asymmetry (32.1%, 64.0%), and single support asymmetry (60.0%, 74.7%) increased (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Gait pattern worsen after performing a walking‐induced fatigue test, such as 6MWT, in moderate–severe PwMS (EDSS ≥ 4.0). Identifying these gait alterations will allow physiotherapists to determine specific therapeutic objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]