Abstract
Objective
To test the reliability and validity of using the Borg rating of perceived exertion
(RPE) scale (ratings 6–20) in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
Design
Nonrandomized repeated measures.
Setting
Research laboratory.
Participants
Volunteer sample (N=27) comprised of 16 PwMS (10 women) and 11 age-matched persons
without multiple sclerosis (MS) (6 women). Clinical measures included symptomatic
fatigue, depression, and MS functional capacity.
Interventions
A submaximal cycling test was performed to estimate maximal capacity. Participants
then pedaled for 2 minutes at 50% and 60% of predicted maximal oxygen consumption
per unit time (o2), and physiological measures and RPE were obtained (week 1: response protocol). One
week later, participants replicated the prescribed o2 using the RPE range from week 1 (week 2: reproduction protocol). o2, heart rate, and respiratory quotient were measured continuously; RPE and workload
were measured every minute; and blood lactate and mean arterial pressure were measured
after exercise.
Main Outcome Measures
RPE, workload, o2, and heart rate from week 1 to week 2.
Results
PwMS had greater fatigue (P<.01) and disability (P<.001). Baseline measures were similar between groups and weeks. During exercise,
RPE, workload, o2, and heart rate were similar between groups. Both groups had an intraclass correlation
coefficient >.86 for RPE, workload, and o2. The intraclass correlation coefficient was comparatively lower for heart rate for
both groups (MS group: .72, non-MS group: .83). RPE was highly correlated with o2 (r=.691, P<.001) and workload (r=.700, P<.001) for the MS group.
Conclusions
Results suggest that RPE can be reliably reproduced, is valid, and may be used in
exercise prescription in mildly to moderately impaired PwMS during cycling exercise.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
MAP (mean arterial pressure), MS (multiple sclerosis), MSFC (Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite), PwMS (persons with multiple sclerosis), RPE (rating of perceived exertion), RQ (respiratory quotient), V˙o2 (oxygen consumption per unit time)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 30, 2016
Footnotes
Current affiliation for Woo, OhioHealth Marion Area Physicians, Marion, OH.
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
