Short-term impact of fampridine on motor and cognitive functions, mood and quality of life among multiple sclerosis patients

• Fampridine is licensed to improve walking in all types of multiple sclerosis.
• We examined fampridine's impact on various functions besides walking.
• Fampridine seems to improve arm/hand function, fatigue, mood and quality of life.
• We did not demonstrate improvement of cognitive function after fampridine treatment.

ObjectivePrevious studies have predominantly investigated the effect of fampridine on lower extremities motor functions while data on its impact on other symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) are scarce. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of fampridine on walking, arm/hand function, fatigue, cognitive function, mood and quality of life among responders.MethodsOur prospective non-randomized study included 30 patients with different types of MS, aged 35–70, EDSS value 3.5–6.5. They were treated with 10 mg of fampridine twice daily. The examinations were performed before the treatment, after 14 days, when responders were defined by T25FW (Timed 25-Foot Walk) and 2-min walk test (2MWT) was performed, and after 28 days of treatment, when only the responders were examined. Standardized protocols and questionnaires were used to evaluate the impact of fampridine on walking speed (T25FW, 2MWT), arm/hand function (9-HPT – Nine-Hole Peg Test), cognitive function (PASAT – Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test), total MSFC score (Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite), fatigue (MFIS – Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), mood (BDI – Beck Depression Inventory) and quality of life (EQ-5D index, EQ-VAS – Euro Quality of Life – 5 Dimension questionnaire and visual analogue scale) in responders.ResultsResponse rate was 56.7%. Average improvement of T25FW and 2MWT after 14 days of treatment in responders was 3.6 s (34.5%) and 37.4 m (42.3%), respectively. This improvement persisted after 28 days of treatment. In non-responders there was no significant improvement of T25FW after 14 days (p = 0.689), but there was improvement of 2MWT for 13.4 m (14.3%) (p = 0.000). After 28 days of treatment significant improvement among responders occurred in total MSFC score (p = 0.001), 9-HPT (p = 0.002), BDI (p = 0.005), MFIS total score (p = 0.003), physical (p = 0.001), cognitive (p = 0.008) MFIS subscales, and EQ-5D index (p = 0.012). There were implied trends towards improvement in EQ-VAS and psychosocial MFIS subscale, yet not significant (p = 0.057 and p = 0.127, respectively). There was no statistically significant improvement of PASAT (p = 0.432).ConclusionsThe results of our study highlight the potential of fampridine for improving not only walking speed but also arm/hand function, physical and cognitive fatigue, mood and quality of life. There was no objective improvement of cognitive function. Further placebo-controlled studies will be needed for precise definition of fampridine's action beyond its impact on walking.