Review Quantifying Fatigue Using Electrophysiological Techniques and Non-invasive Brain Stimulation in People With Multiple Sclerosis 2023 Hamilton et al

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this literature review article is to provide a synthesis of recent research focused on the use of 3 techniques to evaluate MS-related fatigue: electroencephalography [EEG], transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDSC), and transcranial- magnetic stimulation (TMS).

Method: We performed a literature search in the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL, EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (OVID), APA PsycInfo (OVID), Scopus (Elsevier), and Web of Science (Clarivate) databases, limited to 2015 and after.

Results: Our review revealed that fatigue in MS patients can be quantified and predicted using electrophysiological techniques. Such techniques, which yield objective data, are historically assessed in relation to subjective data, or perceived fatigue. We identified studies using EEG, TMS, and/or tDCS to study fatigue in people with MS. In total, 220 records were identified with 19 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Quality appraisal revealed that the level of evidence was generally graded “good”.

Conclusions: Despite the heterogenous nature of reviewed the studies and selected the varied self-report fatigue measures, our literature synthesis suggests promise for the use of EEG, TMS, and/or tDCS approaches in more accurately assessing fatigue in people with MS. Further research is needed in this arena.

Paywall, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10998004231194954

 

It's a start. I expect that a reliable measure of perception of fatigue will require a fair bit of processing of the data. It probably won't be as simple as "amplitude of 3.42 Hz"; it might require processing hours of data, taken at different times, and maybe need two or all three of those techniques.

It makes me think of studies about traffic in big cities. It's not obvious why traffic clumps up if you just count vehicles going past one point, but if you widen your view, you can see patterns that follow mathematical equations.