Effect of multilevel botulinum toxin a and comprehensive rehabilitation on gait in cerebral palsy

Pediatr Neurol. 2007 Jan;36(1):30-9. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2006.09.010.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of multilevel botulinum toxin A and comprehensive rehabilitation on gait pattern, muscle length, and spasticity, a multicenter randomized trial was performed in 46 children with spastic cerebral palsy who walk with flexed knees. Their mean age was 8.0 years (range 4 to 11 years). They were randomly allocated to the intervention group (multilevel botulinum toxin A and comprehensive rehabilitation) or the control group (usual care). After 6 weeks, a significant treatment effect in the intervention group was observed on: improved knee extension during midstance and terminal swing (7 degrees and 5 degrees , P < 0.01, respectively); hip rotation during terminal swing (4 degrees , P = 0.02); gait score (1.7, P < 0.01); decreased spasticity in hamstrings (11 degrees , P < 0.01), gastrocnemius (6 degrees , P = 0.01), and soleus (5 degrees , P = 0.02); and increased muscle length in hamstrings (9 degrees , P < 0.01) and gastrocnemius (5 degrees , P < 0.01). The improved muscle length was maintained up to 24 weeks. This study demonstrated that multilevel botulinum toxin A and comprehensive rehabilitation improves knee extension during gait, increases muscle length, and decreases spasticity in injected muscles after 6 weeks in children who walk with flexed knees. Although the effect on muscle length was maintained after 24 weeks, the effect on gait and spasticity had disappeared.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage*
  • Cerebral Palsy / drug therapy*
  • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Gait / drug effects*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / drug therapy
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy
  • Muscle Spasticity / rehabilitation
  • Neuromuscular Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Neuromuscular Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A