AMPYRA IMPROVES WALKING SPEED, WALKING ENDURANCE & COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN VETRANS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (a longitudinal cohort study)


Mult Scler. 2013 Oct 7.

Overs S, Murchison C, Whitham R, Fitzpatrick M, Manning J.

Source:

Oregon Health and Science University and Portland VA Medical Center, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In short-term trials, dalfampridine extended release (ER) improves walking in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The tolerability and effects of dalfampridine-ER in clinical practice have not been reported.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective of this paper is to determine the clinical tolerability and effects of dalfampridine on walking and community participation.

METHODS:

All patients at the Portland VA Medical Center prescribed dalfampridine-ER over one year completed the Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25FW), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale-12 (MSWS-12), Two-Minute Timed Walk (2MTW), and Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) at baseline and follow-up clinic visits. Ongoing use and measures over one year were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS: Dalfampridine-ER was associated with short-term improvements in walking speed and community participation, and sustained improvements in walking endurance and self-perceived impact of MS on walking for one year. Our study supports the utility of this medication in late MS.