The effect of injecting botulinum toxin type a into the calf muscles on freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a double blind placebo-controlled pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect on freezing of gait (FOG) of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.


METHODS
BTX-A 150 IU or normal saline was injected into each leg's calf muscles by a blinded investigator. FOG severity was assessed at set intervals (6-month follow-up).


RESULTS
Eleven age- and disease severity-matched PD patients with disabling FOG participated. Six patients received BTX-A and 5 received saline. No improvement was observed in either group over time. Leg weakness and falls lead to early termination.


CONCLUSIONS
BTX-A injections to the legs did not improve FOG and might increase fall risk.
Gurevich
Tanya
T
Movement Disorders Unit, Parkinson Center, Department of Neurology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Peretz
Chava
C
Moore
Orna
O
Weizmann
Nina
N
Giladi
Nir
N
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D010919:Placebos; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A