@article{ba72020f8cd2496ab882129386dd237a,
title = "Effects of lipoic acid on walking performance, gait, and balance in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis",
abstract = "Background: Gait and balance impairment is common in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Lipoic acid (LA), an over-the-counter antioxidant, is effective in MS animal models and may improve walking speed, but effects on mobility are unreported. Objective: Examine the effects of 1200 mg daily oral dose of LA versus placebo (PLA) on gait and balance in a 2-year, randomized, double-blind pilot study. Methods: 134 participants were screened for eligibility before assignment to LA (n = 28) or PLA (n = 26). Included here were, 21 participants with SPMS who took LA (N = 11) or PLA (N = 10) capsules for 2 years (enrolled May 2, 2011 – August 14, 2015) and completed all tasks without the use of an assistive device. Participants completed the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and quiet standing tasks every 6 months while wearing inertial sensors (APDM Opals) to quantify mobility. Results: LA had a medium effect on time to complete TUG at 2 years (g = 0.51; 95% CI = -0.35, 1.38). In a subset of 18 participants with less disability (EDSS < 6, no use of ambulatory device), turning time was significantly shorter with LA (p = 0.048, Δ= 0.48 s). No differences in balance metrics were found between groups. Conclusions: LA had an effect on walking performance in people with SPMS, particularly in those with lower baseline disability. Trial Registration: Lipoic Acid for Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01188811?term=spain+lipoic+acid&rank=1 NCT0118881.",
keywords = "Antioxidant, Inertial sensors, Posture, Rehabilitation, Sway, Timed up and go",
author = "Loy, {Bryan D.} and Brett Fling and Horak, {Fay B.} and Bourdette, {Dennis N.} and Spain, {Rebecca I.}",
note = "Funding Information: Work supported by NIH-NCCIH T32 AT002688 (B. Loy) and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society MB0011 (F. Horak) . The research reported here was supported by grant B7493-W (R. Spain) from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service . Additional support came from National Institutes of Health grant UL1TR000128 . Pure Encapsulations (Sudbury, MA) provided the LA and placebo. This publication was made possible with support from the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute (OCTRI) grant number UL1 RR024140 from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) , a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , and NIH Roadmap for Medical Research . Funding Information: B. Loy and B. Fling declare no conflicts of interest. OHSU and Dr. Horak have a significant financial interest in ADPM, a company that may have a commercial interest in the results of this research and technology. This potential institutional and individual conflict has been reviewed and managed by OHSU. D. Bourdette received travel funding from National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Consortium of MS Centers, and Paralyzed Veterans of America; serves on the editoral board for Neurology ; holds patents for treatment of multiple sclerosis with cyclic peptide derivatives of cyclosporin and thyromimetic drugs for stimulating remyelination in multiple sclerosis; consulted for Magellan Health, Best Doctors, Inc.; and received research support from National MS Society. R. Spain received research support from Department of Veterans Affairs, Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, VA Portland Health Care System, Oregon Health & Science University, National MS Society, Conrad Hilton Foundation, Medical Research Foundation of Oregon, and Race to Erase MS. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2018 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2018",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1016/j.ctim.2018.09.006",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "41",
pages = "169--174",
journal = "Complementary Therapies in Medicine",
issn = "0965-2299",
publisher = "Churchill Livingstone",
}