Upper extremity function and occupational performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy following lower extremity botulinum toxin injections

Abstract

We studied the effect of botulinum toxin A injections to the lower extremities of spastic cerebral palsy children on upper limb body function and occupational performance. A total of 16 children with spastic cerebral palsy, aged 2 to 8 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I-IV, referred to a child neurology outpatient clinic for botulinum toxin A injections to the lower limbs, underwent 4 assessments: 1 month prior to injection, immediate pre injection, and at 1 and 5 to 6 months post injection. Three tools were used to test everyday function (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory) and upper extremity body function (Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test). Significant improvement was documented between the immediate preinjection and the 2 postinjection assessments, indicating that improvement lasted for at least 6 months. Botulinum toxin A injections to the lower extremities in children with cerebral palsy improve upper limb body function and occupational performance.