title: Botulinum toxin and neuromotor rehabilitation: An integrated approach to idiopathic cervical dystonia.
abstract: Currently, the best treatment option for idiopathic cervical dystonia (ICD) is injection of botulinum toxin (BTX) into the affected muscles, whereas rehabilitative approaches have given disappointing results. We evaluated whether the association of an ad hoc rehabilitative program may improve the clinical efficacy of BTX treatment in a single-center, cross-over, controlled study. Forty patients with ICD were randomly assigned to two different treatment groups: (1) BTX type A (BTX-A) plus a specific program of physical therapy (BTX-PT) or (2) BTX-A alone (BTX-0). Patients in the BTX-PT group showed a longer duration of the clinical benefit (118.8 vs. 99.1 days) and needed a lower dose of BTX at reinjection (284.5 vs. 325.5 units). In addition, they showed more marked reductions in their disability in activities of daily living (-9.7 vs. -4.85 points) and subjective pain (-13.35 vs. 6.95 points) scores. Association of BTX-A therapy with a specific program of physical therapy may improve ICD treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: Neurorehabilitation Unit, C. Mondino Institute of Neurology Foundation, Dept of Neurological Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy. cristina.tassorelli@mondino.it
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tassorelli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balloni
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pacchetti
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sandrini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martignoni
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014103:Torticollis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A