| Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Botulinum toxin type A is effective in the reduction of muscle tenderness and pain in many diseases associated with myofascial pain. Since increased muscle tension may contribute to tension-type headaches, injections of botulinum toxin could be of therapeutic value. METHODS/PATIENTS: Results of own investigations are presented, in particular a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 21 patients fulfilling the International Headache Society criteria for tension-type hedaches. Participants were randomly assigned to verum (pericranial injection of 10 x 20 MU DYSPORT) or placebo condition (injection of isotonic saline in the same manner). RESULTS: After 4, 8, and 12 weeks no significant differences between placebo and verum could be observed. Nevertheless, both groups significantly improved. DISCUSSION: The findings strongly suggest that higher doses or other injection sites might be necessary to achieve therapeutic effects of botulinum toxin in tension-type headaches. Actually, we are participating in a multi-center study using 500 MU of DYSPORT. Besides dose-finding problems, another explanation could be that peripheral mechanisms--such as increased pericranial muscle tension--only play a minor role in the pathogenesis of tension-type headaches. |
| Authors | J D Rollnik, R Dengler
(Affiliation: Medical School of Hannover, Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Hannover, Germany.)
|
| Journal | Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement
(Acta Neurochir Suppl)
Vol. 79
Pg. 123-6
( 2002)
ISSN: 0065-1419 [Print] Austria |
| PMID | 11974977
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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| Chemical References |
- Botulinum Toxin Type A
- Neuromuscular Agents
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Botulinum Toxin Type A
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Electromyography
- Humans
- Injections
- Middle Aged
- Neuromuscular Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Tension-Type Headache
(drug therapy, physiopathology)
|