Short Form 36 assessed health-related quality of life after focal spasticity therapy.

Authors

  • Ulla Bergfeldt
  • Camilla Sköld
  • Per Julin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0318

Keywords:

health-related quality of life, Short Form 36, spasticity, botulinum toxin type A, physical therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the impact of an individualized comprehensive focal spasticity management on health-related quality of life. DESIGN: Prospective observational and interventional 12-week trial in a single-centre rehabilitation outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: Forty-one adult patients with upper motor neurone lesions (23 men), mean age 52 (standard deviation 13) years; 27 stroke, 7 cerebral palsy and 7 miscellaneous diagnoses. METHODS: Patients were assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Questionnaire before and after intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin type A combined with physical interventions. Spasticity was assessed with the Ashworth Scale (0-4). A verbal scale for patients' self-report of therapy effect was also used. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found in 3 of 8 SF-36 health scales: social (p = 0.008) and physical functioning (p = 0.026), and role physical (p = 0.048). Spasticity improved significantly (mean 1.1, p < 0.001). Improvement according to the verbal scale was observed for 57 (86%) indications (overall improvement in 36 patients, 88%). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive focal spasticity management with botulinum toxin type A intramuscular injections and physical interventions can improve patients' perceived health-related quality of life in addition to objectively and subjectively measured motor functions.

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Published

2009-01-09

How to Cite

Bergfeldt, U., Sköld, C., & Julin, P. (2009). Short Form 36 assessed health-related quality of life after focal spasticity therapy. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 41(4), 279–281. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0318

Issue

Section

Short Communication