The improvements in walking speed exceed ≥20 %, which is consider

The improvements in walking speed exceed ≥20 %, which is considered to represent clinically relevant change [42–44]. While the small sample sizes limit the power and generalizability of the analyses, the current study also demonstrated

that, of the MS types, PP and SP made the most gains in ambulation compared with the RR group. This was not unusual given that the PP and SP groups were slow in ambulation to begin with and ambulated shorter distances (more impaired). Similar changes were observed for the more impaired patients (moderate to severe impairment) when compared with mildly impaired patients. Both sets of patients who continued taking the medication and those who discontinued after a minimum of 4 weeks use were able PF-562271 supplier to maintain their improved walking speed and endurance at 12-month follow-up. This improvement in ambulatory ability translated into improved motor function. The change in TFIM score was 18 points. A TFIM change of ~20 points is considered a minimally

clinically significant change [45]. This implied that patients who were now able to ambulate more were now more able to self-care and thus less dependent on their caregivers. The present study also revealed FG 4592 a negative correlation between walking speed and endurance on initial evaluation and 12-month follow-up, with slower walking patients also ambulating shorter distances. However, this association was statistically significant at 12-month follow-up only. This finding suggests that the results of the two ambulation tests are better aligned at the follow-up assessment. Eight patients (40 %) discontinued dalfampridine use after 4 weeks. Three patients did so volitionally due to perceived lack of benefit, while in five patients this was due to adverse effects which included insomnia in two patients, and weakness, dizziness, and headache in one patient each. The limitations of this study include (i) the small sample size; (ii) the sample comprised of veterans who were all White men; (iii) it was a single institution study;

and (iv) retrospective analysis with missing data may bias the findings of this study. However, the strength selleck chemicals of this study lies in the longitudinal follow-up for 12 months with 100 % adherence to intake in 60 % (12/20) of the patient population studied. 5 Conclusion Ambulation is crucial for patients with MS. This study provides evidence that treatment with dalfampridine in veterans with MS with ambulatory dysfunction produces clinically meaningful improvement in walking speed and endurance in the absence of meaningful change in muscle tone. This improvement in ambulation was associated with improved motor functioning. Author contributions Study concept and design was undertaken by Meheroz H. Rabadi; acquisition of data was carried out by Kimberly Kreymborg and Meheroz H. Rabadi; analysis and interpretation of data was conducted by Meheroz H. Rabadi and Andrea S.

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