The use of a portable muscle tone measurement device to measure the effects of botulinum toxin type a on elbow flexor spasticity.
OBJECTIVE
To use a portable muscle tone assessment device to measure spasticity after a botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection.


METHODS
Before-after trial.


METHODS
Hospital.


METHODS
Ten chronic stroke patients with upper-limb spasticity.


METHODS
BTX-A was injected in the biceps brachii.


METHODS
The biomechanic parameters, viscous component, and averaged viscosity derived from the acquired reactive resistance and angular displacements, as well as the reflex electromyographic threshold of biceps brachii, were used for spasticity evaluation.


RESULTS
A statistically significant decrease in averaged viscosity and a significant increase in reflex electromyographic threshold (P<.05) both indicated reduction in spasticity owing to BTX-A intervention. There was no clear reflex electromyographic activity detected at lower stretch frequencies.


CONCLUSIONS
Our portable design allows for the convenient use of the device for quantifying spasticity in clinics. All quantitative measurements suggest that BTX-A decreases spasticity within 2 weeks of injection. Our portable muscle tone measurement device may be useful for the clinical assessment of elbow flexor spasticity.
Chen
Jia-Jin Jason
JJ
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, ROC.
Wu
Yi-Ning
YN
Huang
Sheng-Chih
SC
Lee
Hsin-Min
HM
Wang
Yu-Lin
YL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004550:Elbow / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019415:Torque
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A