Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2013;12(2):47-50.

Comparing the efficacy of botulinum toxin with tizanidine in upper limb post stroke spasticity

Mohammad Yazdchi  1 , Zahra Ghasemi, Hanieh Moshayedi, Reza Rikhtegar, Somayeh Mostafayi, Hale Mikailee, Safa Najmi
Affiliations

Comparing the efficacy of botulinum toxin with tizanidine in upper limb post stroke spasticity

Mohammad Yazdchi et al. Iran J Neurol. 2013.

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of focal intramuscular injection of botulinum (BoNT) toxin type A in comparison with oral tizanidine (TZD) in treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity.

Methods: This was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial that recruited 68 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity. Thirty-four patients received BoNT (Dysport(®)) injections in affected muscles of upper limb at the baseline and week 12. Thirty-four patients were treated with tizanidine (Sirdalude) by gradual increase in dosage of 2mg/week to reach maximum 24mg at week 12. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were evaluated at the baseline, week 12 and week 24 for all the participants.

Results: The mean score of MAS reduced from 3.32 and 3.13 at baseline to 1.79 and 1.56 at week 24 on elbow and wrist joints, respectively (P < 0.01). However, there were only reductions from 2.79 and 2.77 to 2.32 and 2.31 (P < 0.001) in TZD group. ARAT increased from 1.79 to 10.97 (P < 0.001) in BoNT group. ARAT increased from 11.08 to 11.35 in TZD group (P = 0.026).

Conclusion: BoNT injection was safe and effective in reducing post-stroke upper extremity spasticity in comparison with TZD.

Keywords: Action Research Arm Test; Dysport; Modified Ashworth Scores; Post-Stroke Upper Limb Spasticity; Tizanidine.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Parker VM, Wade DT, Langton HR. Loss of arm function after stroke: measurement, frequency, and recovery. Int Rehabil Med. 1986;8(2):69–73. - PubMed
    1. Heller A, Wade DT, Wood VA, Sunderland A, Hewer RL, Ward E. Arm function after stroke: measurement and recovery over the first three months. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1987;50(6):714–9. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Broeks JG, Lankhorst GJ, Rumping K, Prevo AJ. The long-term outcome of arm function after stroke: results of a follow-up study. Disabil Rehabil. 1999;21(8):357–64. - PubMed
    1. Dajpratham P, Kuptniratsaikul V, Kovindha A, Kuptniratsaikul PS, Dejnuntarat K. Prevalence and management of poststroke spasticity in Thai stroke patients: a multicenter study. J Med Assoc Thai. 2009;92(10):1354–60. - PubMed
    1. Daroff RB, Mazziotta JC. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Vol. 1. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2012.

LinkOut - more resources