Effect of upper limb botulinum toxin injections on impairment, activity, participation, and quality of life among stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to study the effect of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in spastic upper limb muscles on impairment, activity, participation and quality of life in chronic stroke patients.


METHODS
BoNT-A (Dysport) was injected into several upper limb spastic muscles in a group of 20 patients. Neurological impairment (muscle tone and strength, dexterity, SIAS), activity (ABILHAND), participation (SATIS-Stroke), and quality of life (SF36) were assessed before and 2 months after the injections.


RESULTS
BoNT-A injections improved muscle tone, but had no impact on dexterity, manual ability, social participation, and quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, BoNT-A injections in spastic upper limbs significantly reduced neurological impairments, but had no functional impact.
Caty
Gilles D
GD
Université catholique de Louvain, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Brussels, Belgium.
Detrembleur
Christine
C
Bleyenheuft
Corinne
C
Deltombe
Thierry
T
Lejeune
Thierry M
TM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D034941:Upper Extremity
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A