Evaluating the role of botulinum toxin in the management of focal hypertonia in adults
- Davina Richardsona,
- Geoff Sheeanb,
- David Werringa,
- Margi Desaib,
- Susan Edwardsa,
- Richard Greenwoodc,
- Alan Thompsona
- aNeurorehabilitation Section, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK, bDepartment of Neurophysiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK, cRegional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Homerton Hospital, Homerton Row, Hackney London E9 6SR, UK
- Professor Alan ThompsonA.Thompson{at}ion.ucl.ac.uk
- Received 21 June 1999
- Revised 18 May 2000
- Accepted 21 May 2000
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of EMG guided botulinum toxin (BTX-A) on impairment and focal disability in adults presenting with focal hypertonia.
METHODS A prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial was carried out with standardised assessment before and at 3 week intervals until 12 weeks after injection, in patients with focal hypertonia affecting upper or lower limbs. Botulinum toxin or placebo was injected with EMG guidance after multidisciplinary assessment. The modified Ashworth scale of spasticity, percentage passive range of joint motion, subjective rating of problem severity, the Rivermead motor assessment scale, a timed 10 metre walk (lower limb patients), nine hole peg test (upper limb patients), and a modified goal attainment scale were used as outcome measures. The patients were 52 adults; 34 male, 18 female; mean age 40.31, range 16–79 years; mean duration of symptoms 35 months (range 3 months to 22 years). Diagnoses included cerebrovascular accidents (23), head injury (12), incomplete spinal cord injury (six), tumour (five), cerebral palsy (three), and anoxic episodes (three).
RESULTS For each variable an overall score for the treatment period was computed by summing the scores from the 3, 6, 9, and 12 week assessments. These overall scores were significantly better in the treated group for the Ashworth scale, percentage passive range of movement, Rivermead lower limb, and subjective rating of problem severity. The significant treatment effect on the Ashworth scale was seen on analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 3 weeks and the subjective rating of problem severity at 3 and 6 weeks. The goal attainment scale score in both groups was similar at 12 weeks.
CONCLUSION Selective use of botulinum toxin to weaken muscles can lead to a reduction in resistance to passive movement about a distal limb joint. This allows for improvements in passive range of movement and focal disability, particularly in patients presenting with focal spasticity of the lower limb.
