Goal attainment for spasticity management using botulinum toxin.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether goal attainment scaling (GAS) can demonstrate functional gains following injection of botulinum toxin (BTX) for spasticity in severely disabled patients.


METHODS
Subjects were categorized as 'responder' (positive clinical outcome) and 'non-responder' (non-significant clinical outcome) on the basis of their overall clinical response. GAS scores for functional goals were calculated retrospectively and compared with standard outcome assessments undertaken at the time of intervention. Integrated care pathway (ICP) proformas were interrogated for 18 patients with acquired brain injuries. Mean age was 44.4 (SD 13.4) years.


RESULTS
Baseline GAS and Barthel scores were similar for the responder and non-responder groups. The outcome GAS score was significantly greater in the responder than in the non-responder group (Mann-Whitney U = 11.0; p = 0.011) as was the change in GAS score (Mann-Whitney U = 8.0; p = 0.004). GAS scores reflected change recorded in focal outcome measures. However, the Barthel Index measured change in only one case.


CONCLUSIONS
This exploratory retrospective study provides preliminary support for the hypothesis that GAS provides a useful measure of functional gains in response to treatment with BTX, and is more sensitive than global measures such as the Barthel Index.
Ashford
Stephen
S
Regional Rehabilitation Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK. Stephen.Ashford@nwlh.nhs.uk
Turner-Stokes
Lynne
L
D000328:Adult; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006040:Goals; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001905:Botulinum Toxins