Multilevel botulinum toxin type a as a treatment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective study

Multilevel botulinum toxin type a as a treatment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: a retrospective study

Clinics, June 2010

20613938

Ece Unlu, Alev Cevikol, Burcu Bal, Emel Gonen, Ozlem Celik, Gulşen Kose

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children. Spasticity is a disabling clinical symptom that is prevalent among patients suffering from cerebral palsy. The treatment of spasticity with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is a well-established option in the interdisciplinary management of spasticity, providing focal reductions in muscle tone in cerebral palsy patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the effect of multilevel BTX-A injections in the lower extremities, focusing mainly on gross motor function and functional status in cerebral palsy patients. Data from 71 cerebral palsy patients (64% male, 36% female, mean age 6.7 +/-3.2 years) were analyzed retrospectively. We used the Ashworth and Tardieu scales to evaluate the degree of spasticity. Motor function was measured by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), and functional status was classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS I-V). Multilevel BTX-A injections were applied after sedation and with electrostimulation guidance. The evaluations were repeated every three months, and the patients were followed for six months. We found that the Ashworth and Tardieu scores decreased significantly at the three-month evaluation (p<0.05) but not at the six-month evaluation (p>0.05). Although the improvement in spasticity was not maintained at the six-month evaluation, GMFM-88 scores increased significantly at the three- and six-month assessments. GMFSC levels showed no change in the three- and six-month assessments. We believe that a single multilevel BTX-A injection reduces spasticity and improves motor function in children with cerebral palsy.