on April 30, 2009
Published online before print April 30, 2009, doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.544346
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Submitted on December 4, 2008
From the Université catholique de Louvain (G.D.C., C.D., C.B., T.M.L.), Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Brussels, Belgium; and the Université catholique de Louvain (T.D.), Cliniques universitaires de Mont-Godinne, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Yvoir, Belgium. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: Thierry.Lejeune{at}uclouvain.be.
Background and Purpose—The purpose of this study was to study the effect of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in spastic upper limb muscles on impairment, activity, participation and quality of life in chronic stroke patients. Methods—BoNT-A (Dysport) was injected into several upper limb spastic muscles in a group of 20 patients. Neurological impairment (muscle tone and strength, dexterity, SIAS), activity (ABILHAND), participation (SATIS-Stroke), and quality of life (SF36) were assessed before and 2 months after the injections. Results—BoNT-A injections improved muscle tone, but had no impact on dexterity, manual ability, social participation, and quality of life. Conclusions—In this study, BoNT-A injections in spastic upper limbs significantly reduced neurological impairments, but had no functional impact.
Accepted on January 9, 2009
Effect of Upper Limb Botulinum Toxin Injections on Impairment, Activity, Participation, and Quality of Life Among Stroke Patients
Gilles D. Caty MD;
Key words: stroke • arm • spasticity • Botulinum toxins