Effect of addition of botulinum toxin-A to standardized therapy for dynamic manual skills measured with kinematic aiming tasks in children with spastic hemiplegia.

Authors

  • Eugene A.A. Rameckers
  • Jacques Duysens
  • Lucianne A.W.M. Speth
  • Hans J.S. Vles
  • Bouwien C.M. Smits-Engelsman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0521

Keywords:

cerebral palsy, kinematic aiming tasks, spasticity, upper limb, tash-oriented therapy, occupational therapy, botulinum toxin-A, randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of intensive therapy and the lasting effect of a standardized functional training programme with vs. without the addition of chemodernervation of the muscles of the forearm and hand. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty children with spastic hemiplegia, aged 4-16 years, were matched for baseline characteristics and randomized to standardized task-oriented therapy for 6 months with or without botulinum toxin injections. Dynamic kinematic outcome measures were: speed, accuracy, end-point spread and performance. Measurements of active and passive range of motion, stretch-restricted angle of the elbow and wrist, Ashworth scores and Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function were made. All measures were performed at baseline, 2 weeks after injection of botulinum toxin and after 6 months (at the end of therapy), and 3 months after end of the therapy. RESULTS: Clinical measures showed improvement in both groups. However, no significant differences emerged between groups on functional measures. Directly after the botulinum toxin injection all kinematic outcome measures showed a decrease, but baseline values were re-established during the therapy period. After botulinum toxin injections a temporarily significant greater increase in speed and performance was found. These results illustrate the need for further quantitative research into the effects of botulinum toxin.

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Published

2010-02-04

How to Cite

Rameckers, E. A., Duysens, J., Speth, L. A., Vles, H. J., & Smits-Engelsman, B. C. (2010). Effect of addition of botulinum toxin-A to standardized therapy for dynamic manual skills measured with kinematic aiming tasks in children with spastic hemiplegia. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 42(4), 332–338. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0521

Issue

Section

Original Report