title: Visual Analogue Scale to score the effects of Botulinum Toxin A treatment in children with cerebral palsy in daily clinical practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the reliability and efficiacy of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in evaluating spasticity treatment in an outpatient setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a parent-reported VAS device for evaluating the effects of Botulinum Toxin A (BTX-A). Data were collected on 55 children with cerebral palsy. Individual goals of treatment were formulated in close consultation with the caregivers. The categories of treatment options were improvement of pain, problems with nursing, sitting position, standing and walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-four interventions were performed in 55 children. A statistically significant effect was found for improvement of nursing, standing and walking. No statistically significant effect for pain was found, probably because of small numbers. In seven children there was no effect at all. Side effects were observed in five children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In using a VAS instrument, beneficial effects were found for nursing, standing and walking after BTX-A treatment. A positive (not significant) correlation was found between the VAS and the Modified Tardieu for those children who also underwent a gait analysis. Evaluating spasticity treatment with the use of the VAS has an important advantage because it is a quick and easy method for evaluating individually defined treatment goals in an outpatient setting, in which time-consuming evaluations are not an option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. g.vles@student.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Georges F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Vles
authors.forename: Anton J A
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Louw
authors.forename: Lucianne A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Speth
authors.forename: Lodewijk W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: van Rhijn
authors.forename: Yvonne J M
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Janssen-Potten
authors.forename: Jos G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hendriksen
authors.forename: Johan S H
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A