ABSTRACT
Adductor spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) impairs motor function and development. In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized multicentre study, we evaluated the effects of botulinum toxin A(BTX-A) in 61 children (37 males, 24 females; mean age 6 years 1 month [SD 3y 1mo]) with CP (leg-dominated tetraparesis, n=39; tetraparesis, n=22; GMFCS level I, n=3; II, n=6; III, n=17; IV, n=29; V, n=6). Four weeks after treatment, a significant superiority of BTX-A was observed in the primary outcome measure (knee-knee distance 'fast catch', p=0.002), the Ashworth scale (p=0.001), and the Goal Attainment Scale (p=0.037).
Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage , Cerebral Palsy/drug therapy , Neuromuscular Agents/administration & dosage , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/adverse effects , Child , Child, Preschool , Double-Blind Method , Female , Hip Joint/physiology , Humans , Knee Joint/physiology , Male , Muscle Spasticity/drug therapy , Neuromuscular Agents/adverse effects , Placebos , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Despite several trials showing reductions in tone and improvements in gait, the relation between botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) dose and response has rarely been investigated. A double-blind randomized comparison of two doses of BTX-A in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (n=48, mean age 7 years 6 months, range 3 to 15 years) was undertaken. The two doses selected were representative of the lower and the higher doses used in clinical practice (24 units/kg body weight and 8 units/kg body weight). Using gait analysis we evaluated hip, knee, and ankle joint kinetics and sagittal kinematics throughout the gait cycle. Gastrocnemius muscle length was calculated at each visit using the method described by Eames and used as our primary outcome measure. Our secondary outcome variable was maximum ankle angle measured during stance and swing phases. In summary, we found that there were indications that 24 units/kg body weight was more effective and lasted longer than 8 units/kg. Analysis in terms of absolute dose suggested that the dose-response correlation was non-linear, and that the optimal range lay between 200 and 500 units BTX-A (Dysport).
Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use , Cerebral Palsy/drug therapy , Cerebral Palsy/physiopathology , Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , Neuromuscular Agents/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/administration & dosage , Child , Child, Preschool , Double-Blind Method , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Male , Neuromuscular Agents/administration & dosageABSTRACT
Equinus foot disorder is a common problem for patients with cerebral palsy who are able to ambulate. Botulinum toxin A is a recommended method of treatment for temporary reduction of muscle tone. The efficacy of repeated botulinum toxin A injections in the calf muscles was evaluated in a clinical trial involving 21 children with cerebral palsy and dynamic equinus foot deformity who were able to ambulate. The mean age of the children was 5.7 years. All patients received at least two injections, six patients received at least three injections, and three patients received four injections. The outcome was evaluated using observational and three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis. Significant improvements of the gait parameters were observed at 6 and 18 weeks after the first and second injections. Botulinum toxin A injections in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles may change the natural history of equinus foot deformity in patients with spastic diplegia. Orthopaedic surgery may be postponed or avoided.
