Changes in cognition, arm function and lower body function after slow-release Fampridine treatment.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the effect of slow-release (SR) Fampridine on multiple outcome measures reflecting different domains, and to compare the responsiveness of the Six Spot Step Test (SSST) and the Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW).


METHODS
For this study 108 participants were included. On day 0 they were tested with the T25FW, the SSST, the 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), the 5 Times Sit-To-Stand test (5-STS) and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Four weeks of treatment with SR Fampridine 10 mg BID was commenced. Participants were tested again after 26-28 days of treatment.


RESULTS
Mean changes observed were: SSST -3.4±6.4 s (p<0.001), T25FW -1.2±3.7 s (p<0.001), 9-HPT -1.2±6.0 s (p<0.001), 5- STS -3.4±7.2 s (p<0.001) and SDMT 1.4±4.8 a.u. (p=0.003). Change on the SSST differed significantly from T25FW (SSST 17.0±19.6% vs. T25FW 11.2±17.1%, p=0.0013). Some 48.6% were found to have a meaningful change on the SSST compared with 25.7% on the T25FW. The response to treatment with SR Fampridine did not correlate with age, sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale and disease duration.


CONCLUSIONS
SR Fampridine treatment has significant effects on different domains including upper and lower body and cognition. Furthermore, the SSST is more responsive to the effect of SR Fampridine than is the T25FW. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01656148.
Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19.3, 5000 Odense C, Denmark; and MS-clinic of Southern Jutland (Sønderborg, Vejle, Esbjerg), Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark henrik.boye.jensen@rsyd.dk.
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Jensen
Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
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Ravnborg
MS-clinic of Southern Jutland (Sønderborg, Vejle, Esbjerg), Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark.
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Mamoei
Section of Sport Science, Aarhus University, Denmark.
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Dalgas
Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark/MS-clinic of Southern Jutland (Sønderborg, Vejle, Esbjerg), Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark.
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Stenager
D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D003071:Cognition; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015761:4-Aminopyridine
Multiple sclerosis; axonal loss; demyelination; rehabilitation