title: Continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion for spasticity of cerebral origin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion (CIBI) would provide continuous relief of spasticity in patients with spasticity of cerebral origin, especially children with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, unblinded trial, before and after CIBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (Pa).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven patients, 5 to 27 years of age, with spasticity of cerebral origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion for 3 to 48 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muscle tone, range of motion, upper extremity timed tasks, activities of daily living (ADLs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six and 12 months after CIBI, muscle tone was significantly decreased in the upper (P = .04) and lower (P = .001) extremities. There was a significant relationship between baclofen dosage and muscle tone in the upper (P = .02) and lower (P = .001) extremities. Hamstring motion, upper extremity function, and ADLs were significantly improved in 25 patients who were capable of self-care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spasticity of cerebral origin can be effectively treated with CIBI. Because baclofen dosages can be titrated for the desired clinical response, CIBI is particularly useful for patients who need some spasticity to stand and ambulate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Barron
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fasick
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Polinko
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janosky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000188:drug therapy; D015419:Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary / Q000188:drug therapy; D013131:Spine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001418:Baclofen