A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TYPE-A (DYSPORT) IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MUSCLE SPASTICITY

Severe muscle spasticity is common in patients with neurological disea se. It is often associated with pain and distressing spasms, and frequ ently leads to functional motor disability. Antispasticity drugs usual ly result in systemic adverse effects, and peripheral nerve blocks hav e some disadvantages such as sensory loss and painful dysaesthesiae. I n recent years botulinum toxin type A (BT/A) has been advocated for th e treatment of muscle spasticity. We studied, using a functional asses sment scale, the effects of BT/A on the patients' symptoms and the fun ctional disability due to spasticity in five children and eight adults who were referred for treatment. In 10 patients the treatment goals w ere achieved, and children generally had a better and more sustained r esponse than adults. There were no adverse effects reported. The prese nt study suggests that BT/A is safe and effective in improving the mot or functional disability which is often associated with severe localiz ed muscle spasticity.