COMPARISON OF CLINICAL RATING-SCALES IN TREATMENT OF CERVICAL DYSTONIA WITH BOTULINUM TOXIN

Seventy-six consecutive patients with cervical dystonia (CD) treated w ith botulinum toxin were assessed with the Tsui rating scale, the Toro nto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS), and a global scale of improvement. Tsui, TWSTRS, and TWSTRS subscale scores all sho wed significant improvement. Tsui and TWSTRS score reduction rates cor related significantly with each other, and each correlated with the gl obal scale. Analyis of these scales and TWSTRS subscales indicates tha t an objective scale of severity such as either the Tsui rating scale or TWSTRS severity subscale used in conjunction with the TWSTRS pain s ubscale adequately assesses improvement of CD following treatment with botulinum toxin.