| Abstract | The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is an improvement in motor function in persons with cerebral palsy (CP) who have had a reduction of muscle tone by continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion. This was a prospective, open label, non-blinded case series without a control group, conducted at multiple centres. There were 31 subjects, aged 4-29 years. All had a pre-treatment mean lower extremity Ashworth scores of >or= 3 and a significant reduction in tone after a bolus injection of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) and received an implanted pump for continuous delivery of ITB. Motor function was assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) prior to and 1 year following pump implantation. Significant improvement (p < 0.05) in mean GMFM scores was seen in subjects < 8 years (mean change 4.1) and in those from 8-18 years (mean change 3.7) and in subjects with CP Classes 2 and 5 (mean changes 6.2 and 2.9). There was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in Ashworth scores in CP classes 2-5. Subjects or their caregivers that completed a survey about perceived changes stated that motor control, positioning and endurance improved. |
| Authors | Linda E Krach, Robert L Kriel, Richard C Gilmartin, Dale M Swift, Bruce B Storrs, Rick Abbott, John D Ward, Karen K Bloom, William H Brooks, Joseph R Madsen, John F McLaughlin, Joseph M Nadell
(Affiliation: Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, St Paul, MN, USA. lkrach at gillettechildrens.com)
|
| Journal | Pediatric rehabilitation
(Pediatr Rehabil)
2005 Jul-Sep
Vol. 8
Issue 3
Pg. 207-13
ISSN: 1363-8491 England |
| PMID | 16087555
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
|
| Chemical References |
- Muscle Relaxants, Central
- Baclofen
|
| Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Baclofen
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Cerebral Palsy
(physiopathology, prevention & control)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Infusion Pumps, Implantable
- Injections, Spinal
- Lower Extremity
(physiopathology)
- Motor Activity
(drug effects, physiology)
- Muscle Contraction
(drug effects, physiology)
- Muscle Relaxants, Central
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Muscle Spasticity
(physiopathology, prevention & control)
- Patient Satisfaction
- Physical Endurance
(physiology)
- Posture
(physiology)
- Prospective Studies
|
