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(Stroke. 2001;32:2099.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Intrathecal Baclofen for Spastic Hypertonia From Stroke

Jay M. Meythaler, JD, MD; Sharon Guin-Renfroe, RN, MSN, CRNP; Robert C. Brunner, MD Mark N. Hadley, MD

From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Division of Neurological Surgery (M.N.H.), University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.

Correspondence to Jay M. Meythaler, MD, JD, University of Alabama at Birmingham, R157 Spain Rehabilitation Center, 619 19th St South, Birmingham, AL 35249-7330. E-mail JMeythal{at}uab.edu

Background and Purpose—— We sought to determine whether continuous intrathecal delivery of baclofen can effectively decrease spastic hypertonia due to stroke.

Methods—— Stroke patients with >6 months of intractable spasticity were screened via a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design of either intrathecal normal saline or 50 µg baclofen. Those who dropped an average of 2 points in either their affected lower extremity side Ashworth or Penn spasm frequency scores were then offered computer-controlled pump implantation for continuous ITB and followed prospectively for up to 12 months.

Results—— In 21 stroke patients 6 hours after the active drug bolus, the average (±SD) lower extremity Ashworth score on the affected extremities decreased from 3.3±1.2 to 1.4±0.7 (P<0.0001), spasm score from 1.2±1.2 to 0.1±0.3 (P=0.0224), and reflex score from 2.1±1.2 to 0.1±0.5 (P<0.0001). The average upper extremity Ashworth score on the affected extremities decreased from 2.8±1.1 to 1.8±0.8 (P<0.0001), spasm score from 0.7±1.0 to 0.2±0.4 (P=0.1544), and reflex score from 2.1±0.9 to 1.2±0.9 (P=0.0004). All active drug scores were statistically different from placebo scores at 6 hours (P<0.05). With up to 12 months of continuous infusion of ITB in 17 implanted patients, the average lower extremity Ashworth score on the affected extremities decreased from 3.7±1.0 to 1.8±1.1 (P<0.0001), the spasm score dropped from 1.2±1.3 to 0.6±1.0 (P=0.4282), and the reflex score decreased from 2.4±1.3 to 1.0±1.3 (P<0.0001). The average upper extremity Ashworth score in the affected extremities decreased from 3.2±1.1 to 1.8±0.9 (P<0.0001), the spasm score dropped from 0.7±1.0 to 0.3±0.8 (P=0.8685), and the reflex score decreased from 2.4±0.8 to 1.5±1.2 (P=0.3337). The average continuous ITB dose required to attain these effects was 268 µg/d.

Conclusions—— Intrathecal infusion of baclofen is capable of maintaining a reduction in the spastic hypertonia resulting from stroke.

Editorial Comment

Gerard E. Francisco, MD; Guest Editor

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