The Short Physical Performance Battery in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship and difference of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) between normal population and stroke patients, and to examine the relationship of the SPPB that used to assess lower extremity function in old, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Modified Barthel Index (MBI) in stroke patients. METHOD: One hundred and fifty nine stroke patients and 159 sex, age-matched normal population were included. All subjects were enrolled to interview and administer the SPPB and FIM, MBI. The SPPB included assessment of standing balance, a walking speed (timed 4 m walk), and chair stand (timed test of rising 5 times from a chair). RESULTS: The stroke patients showed significantly lower SPPB score than control group. The age, sex, direction of affection, and duration of stroke did not influence SPPB score respectively. In comparison of FIM and MBI, SPPB was significantly correlated with FIM and MBI, especially motor subtotal score of FIM. CONCLUSION: SPPB may be useful tool to assess and predict the physical function in stroke patients.

The Effects of Dilution Volume of Botulinum Toxin A on the Spasticity of Children with Cerebral Palsy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the dilution volume of botulinum toxin A on spasticity of children with cerebral palsy. METHOD: Total 18 legs of 9 children with cerebral palsy were enrolled. 100 units of botulinum toxin were diluted with 4 cc or 2 cc of normal saline and injected to the medial and lateral heads of Gastrocnemius. Modified Ashworth scale, modified Tardieu test and range of motion (ROM) of ankle and knee were measured. Measurements were obtained before and at 1, 7, 14, 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after injection, respectively. RESULTS: Spasticity tested by modified Ashworth scale and modified Tardieu test decreased and ROM of ankle and knee increased after 14 days since injection in both groups (p<0.05). In low dilution group, maximal ROM of ankle and knee was obtained at 30th day after injection. In high dilution group, maximal ROM of ankle and knee was achieved at 14th day after injection and maximal ROM of knee at 30th day after injection. However, there was no significant differences between high dilution group and low dilution group in different times. CONCLUSION: Management of spasticity with botulinum toxin in cerebral palsy was not related to dilution volume.