title: Treatment of spasticity in children with low dose benzodiazepine.
abstract: In an attempt to investigate whether benzodiazepines at low dosage have a significant effect in reducing spasticity among children with cerebral palsy, we carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Twelve children with either spastic diplegia or hemiplegia participated in this study. The mean age was 14 years. The restraint of passive knee movements was determined with a dynamic dynamometer and spastic stretch reflexes were measured as EMG activity in muscles stretched. Clonazepam was given at low dosage (0.02 mg/kg body weight). In each child measurements of passive restraint were made on 2 different days immediately before and 3 h after an i.m. injection of either clonazepam or placebo in randomized order. Clonazepam significantly reduced spastic restraint (P < 0.001) compared to non-significant reduction with placebo. The mean plasma concentration of clonazepam at time of spasticity evaluation was 21 mmol/l which is in the low dose range, far below conventional doses. The study thus shows a positive effect of low dose clonazepam in reducing spasticity in children when given as a single dose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Knutsson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nergårdh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy; D012399:Rotation
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D002998:Clonazepam