Clinical characteristics of sham and RIPC groups
| Sham intervention (n=37) | RIPC intervention (n=38) | |
| Age (years), mean±SD | 44.0±12.5 | 47.6±11.3 |
| Sex | ||
| Female, n (%) | 27 (73) | 17 (44.7) |
| Male, n (%) | 10 (27) | 21 (55.3) |
| Type of MS | ||
| Relapsing remitting, n (%) | 34 (91.9) | 27 (71.1) |
| Secondary progressive, n (%) | 1 (2.7) | 7 (18.4) |
| Primary progressive, n () | 2 (5.4) | 4 (10.5) |
| Time since diagnosis (months) | 137.1±129.6 | 120.3±128.1 |
| EDSS score, median (IQR) | 3.5 (2–6) | 5 (3.4–6.0) |
| EDSS score, n (%) | ||
| 0 | 0 | 1 (2.6) |
| −1.0 | 3 (8.1) | 0 |
| −1.5 | 1 (2.7) | 2 (5.3) |
| −2.0 | 10 (27%) | 2 (5.3%) |
| −2.5 | 1 (2.7) | 0 |
| −3.0 | 0 | 4 (10.5) |
| −3.5 | 4 (10.8) | 3 (7.9) |
| −4.0 | 1 (2.7%) | 2 (5.3) |
| −4.5 | 4 (10.8) | 3 (7.9) |
| −5.0 | 2 (5.4) | 3 (7.9) |
| −5.5 | 1 (2.7) | 2 (5.3) |
| −6.0 | 8 (21.6) | 12 (31.6) |
| −6.5 | 2 (5.4) | 3 (7.9) |
| −7.0 | 0 | 1 (2.6) |
EDSS, Extended Disability Status Scale; MS, multiple sclerosis; N, number of patients; RIPC, remote ischaemic preconditioning.