Cerebral Palsy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cerebral Palsy, including details on symptoms, causes, types.

A randomized controlled trial comparing botulinum toxin A dosage in the upper extremity of children with spasticity.

Kawamura A, Campbell K, Lam-Damji S, Fehlings D

Department of Paediatrics, Bloorview Research Institute, Bloorview Kids Rehab, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

This study compared the effects of low and high doses of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) to improve upper extremity function. Thirty-nine children (22 males, 17 females) with a mean age of 6 years 2 months (SD 2y 9mo) diagnosed with spastic hemiplegia or triplegia were enrolled into this double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The high-dose group received BTX-A in the following doses: biceps 2U/kg, brachioradialis 1.5U/kg, common flexor origin 3U/kg, pronator teres 1.5U/kg, and adductor/opponens pollicis 0.6U/kg to a maximum of 20U. The low-dose group received 50% of this dosage. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 1 and 3 months after injection, and results were analyzed with a repeated-measures analysis of variance. There was no significant difference between the low-dose and high-dose groups in upper extremity function over the 3-month period as measured by the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (F[1,37]=0.18, p=0.68). There was no difference between the groups in the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Self Care Domain (F[1,37]=0.05, p=0.83). Although grip strength decreased over the 3-month period, there was no difference between groups (F[1,32]=0.45, p=0.51). These findings indicate that there is no difference in hand and arm function between a low dose and a high dose of BTX-A at 1 and 3 months after injection. This information can be used to guide dosage of BTX-A for the management of upper extremity spasticity in children.

Published 10 May 2007 in Dev Med Child Neurol, 49(5): 331-7.
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