Can the early use of botulinum toxin in post stroke spasticity reduce contracture development? A randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Does early treatment of spasticity with botulinum-toxin (BoNTA), in (hyper)acute stroke patients without arm-function, reduce contractures and improve function.

Design

Randomised placebo-controlled-trial.

Setting

Specialised stroke-unit.

Participants & intervention

Patients with an Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) grasp-score⩽2 who developed spasticity within six-weeks of a first stroke were randomised to receive injections of: 0.9%sodium-chloride solution (placebo) or onabotulinumtoxin-A (treatment).

Outcome-measures

Spasticity, contractures, splint use and arm function (ARAT) were taken at baseline, 12-weeks post-injection and six-months after stroke. Additionally, spasticity and contractures were measured at weeks-two, four and six post-injec

SUBMITTER: Lindsay C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7944432 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature