title: Pharmacologic interventions for reducing spasticity in cerebral palsy.
abstract: Motor function abnormalities are a key feature of cerebral palsy. Spasticity is one of the main motor abnormalities seen in children with cerebral palsy. Spasticity is a velocity dependent increased resistance to movement. While in some children, spasticity may adversely impact the motor abilities, in others, it may help maintain posture and ability to ambulate. Thus, treatment to reduce spasticity requires careful consideration of various factors. Non-pharmacologic interventions used to reduce spasticity include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, use of adaptive equipment, various orthopedic surgical procedures and neurosurgical procedures. Pharmacologic interventions used for reducing spasticity in children with cerebral palsy reviewed in this article include oral administration of baclofen, diazepam, dantrolene and tizanidine, intrathecal baclofen, and local injections of botulinum toxin, phenol, and alcohol.
authors.affiliation: Michigan State University, Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, USA. patel@kcms.msu.edu
authors.forename: Dilip R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Olufemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soyode
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000367:Age Factors; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003000:Clonidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003620:Dantrolene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019800:Phenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019800:Phenol; D000431:Ethanol; C023754:tizanidine; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D003620:Dantrolene; D001418:Baclofen; D003000:Clonidine; D003975:Diazepam