RESUMO
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections guided by electromyography in combination with electrical stimulation in the treatment of upper limb spasticity poststroke.Methods Forty-five patients with upper limb spasticity following stroke were recruited.They received multiple intra-muscular BTX-A injections guided by electromyography and electrical stimulation.Rehabilitation training was administered after the BTX-A injections.The results were assessed using the modified Ashworth scale (MAS),the Fugl-Meyer upper limb assessment (FMA),active range of movement (AROM) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).All the assessments were performed at the baseline,and then 1 week,2 weeks,1 month,and 3 months after the injections.Results Compared with the baseline scores the MAS,FMA,AROM and MBI results had all obviously improved by 2 weeks after the BTX-A injections.Compared with 2 weeks after the injections,the FMA and AROM scores at 1 month were significantly higher and there were further significant improvements at 3 months.No patient demonstrated obvious side effects from the therapy.Conclusion BTX-A injection guided by electromyography and electrical stimulation is safe and has definite beneficial effects on upper limb spasticity after stroke.