Effects of Botulinum Toxin A Injection on Ambulation Capacity in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the change in their ambulatory capacity and spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) who received botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection and underwent rehabilitation therapy.

Methods: Thirty patients with CP, 3-13 years who had varied functional levels and lower extremity spasticity, were randomized in two groups. In Group 1(n = 15), BoNT-A was administered to the affected extremity and underwent rehabilitation. In Group 2 (n = 15), the patients underwent only rehabilitation protocol. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Tardieu Scale (TS), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Selective Motor Control, and Goal Attainment Scale were evaluated 4 and 12 weeks after baseline.

Results: The mean scores of the TS (p < 0.001) GMFCS, GAS, and VAS (p < 0.05) significantly improved in Group 1.

Conclusion: We think that implementation of rehabilitation protocols with BoNT-A injection is superior to alone rehabilitation therapy and increasing ambulatory capacity in patients with CP.

Keywords: Ambulation; botulinum toxin A; cerebral palsy; spasticity.