A reaction time deficit in virtual tasks may be related to delayed neuronal impulse or depression in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease, related to different factors and systems. It causes fatigue, anxiety and depression. Virtual reality is used during rehabilitation. To evaluate the reaction time in MS patients and the interference of fatigue, anxiety and depression in performing a virtual task (VT). Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing MS patients (GMS) with people without MS (GC), by evaluating the Beck Inventory (BDI depression, BAI anxiety) and VT Simple Reaction Time (RTs) in GMS and GC and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) in GMS. The study period was January-June 2018. GMS sample 57, minimum age 23, maximum 77 years old (M=45.86, SD=12.24), GC sample 27, minimum age 23, maximum 57 years old (M=45.00, SD =12.09), both genders. Results: A positive correlation between MFIS, anxiety, and depression; between BDI and RTs. GMS had a lower performance (M=406.76) in RTs and all fatigue measurements. Conclusion: GMS showed an increase in RT indices, which may be related to neuronal impulse delay or depression. A fatigue scored on the MFIS did not interfere with VT.