Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination, neurodegeneration, and variable clinical manifestations. Among the physical functions impaired by multiple sclerosis (MS), the ability to walk is often considered the most important. Gait impairment is associated with greater use of health care resources and increased risk of falls.
Materials and Methods: The statistical sample of this study included 45 patients with relapsing-remitting RRMS MS who were homogenized into two experimental and control groups based on the type of treatment and disability status. The first experimental group took 2 300 mg ALA capsules, the second experimental group took 2 300 mg curcumin capsules, and the subjects of the control group took two placebo capsules (control group) for one month (every day at 10 am). One day before and after the course, the developed test of getting up and walking time was taken from the subjects. Also, the disability status of the subjects was measured by a neurologist. The data were examined and analyzed by correlational t-test and analysis of covariance.

Findings: The results of the correlated t-test showed that in the experimental groups, after one week, there was a significant decrease in disability scores (P < 0.05) and time to get up and walk (P < 0.05); The results of covariance analysis showed that there is a significant difference between the three groups in all indicators (P < 0.05) and the curcumin experimental group had higher scores than the ALA group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: ALA can improve walking performance due to increasing skeletal muscle performance instead of changing CNS performance. ALA supports mitochondrial function as an essential co-factor for pyruvate dehydrogenase during aerobic respiration and plays a role in mitochondrial nucleic acid synthesis in addition to CNS protection.