Effect of rehabilitation on the long-term efficacy of botulinum toxin-A for spastic cerebral palsy.

[OBJECTIVE] To investigate the long-term effects of botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) nerve block on relaxation of spasticity in cerebral palsy.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] From June 2015 to December 2018, 52 children, aged 20-56 months, with spastic cerebral palsy were treated with BTX-A. The dose of BTX-A was selected based on the weight of the child and the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). The injection dose ranged from 45 IU to 150 IU (average 68.0±31.6 IIU). The muscle tone and motor functions of all children were evaluated before the block. The spasticity was measured using the MAS, and the motor function was measured using the Physician Rating Scale (PRS) and the gross motor function measure (GMFM). After two years, all children were re-evaluated.

[RESULTS] No significant difference was observed between the trial and control groups in terms of age, weight, MAS, PRS, and GMFM measurements before the block (p>0.05). The PRS and GMFM improved significantly in both groups after two years (p<0.05). The PRS and GMFM in the trial group increased more significantly than those in the control group (p<0.05).

[CONCLUSIONS] The BTX-A block showed a long-term positive effect. Rehabilitation training after the block could help children to improve their motor functions.