The Effect of Motor Point Block with Alcohol on Hip Adductor Muscles in Spastic Cerebral Palsy

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of motor point blocking using 70% alcohol for the treatment of spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. METHOD: 16 patients with spastic cerebral palsy were injected at both hip adductor muscles with 70% alcohol. The severity of spasticity was assessed with the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) of adductor muscles, and the passive range of motion (PROM) of hip abduction. MAS and PROM were measured before, immediately after, and 1 and 3 months after the motor point block. Satisfaction of caregivers was also checked 3 months after the procedure. RESULTS: The MAS prior to the motor point block and at 3 months after the procedure were 4.44+/-0.62 and 3.63+/-1.16. The PROM before motor point block and at 3 months after the procedure were 21.81+/-14.14d egrees and 32.81+/-12.37 egrees. 11 out of 16 (68.8%) caregivers reported high satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Motor point block with 70% alcohol to the hip adductor muscles could be a safe and cost-effective procedure for relieving the localized spasticity of hip adductor muscles in spastic cerebral palsy.