Affiliations: Department of Neurology, Bangur Institute of
Neuroscience & Psychiatry, Kolkata, India | Department of Physiotherapy, Bangur Institute of
Neuroscience & Psychiatry, Kolkata, India
Abstract: Study on use of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in subjects with spastic
cerebral palsy is rare in Indian literature. So, we planned to observe the role
of BTX-A in subjects with spastic cerebral palsy unresponsive to conventional
therapy. This open label study was conducted with the approval of Institutional
Ethics Committee and parents. A total of 63 cases (age range 1 to 19 years;
mean 6.07 years) received the toxin (dose range 50–200 units) after
proper assessment based on modified Ashworth scale, visual analogue scale,
passive range of motion with goniometer, physician rating scale and assessment
of global functional status. A total of 13 cases were lost in follow up. Out of
50 cases who received the injection, tone and pain reduction was significant in
different subgroup of patients. Improvement of functional status was noticed in
10% of cases. Thus, BTX-A is effective in reduction of tone and pain, but
significant functional improvement was noted in a limited number of cases.
