Visual Analogue Scale to score the effects of Botulinum Toxin A treatment in children with cerebral palsy in daily clinical practice.
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.
Vles
Georges F
GF
Department of Child Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. g.vles@student.unimaas.nl
de Louw
Anton J A
AJ
Speth
Lucianne A
LA
van Rhijn
Lodewijk W
LW
Janssen-Potten
Yvonne J M
YJ
Hendriksen
Jos G
JG
Vles
Johan S H
JS
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
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A