LONG-TERM EFFECT OF BOTULINUM TOXIN ON IMPAIRMENT AND FUNCTIONAL HEALTH IN CERVICAL DYSTONIA

We investigated the long-term effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) o n impairment as well as functional health in terms of disability, hand icap, and quality of life in 64 patients with cervical dystonia. These patients, who first participated in a double-blind trial, were follow ed for another 12 months. Fifty-four patients continued treatment afte r 12 months of follow-up and showed improvement on all scales. Further more, this effectiveness appeared to increase during follow-up, which suggests a cumulative clinical effect of BTA.