By blocking the release of neurotransmitters, botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) is an effective treatment for muscle over-activity and pain in stroke patients. BoNT-A has also been reported to increase passive range of motion (p-ROM), the decrease of which is mainly due to muscle shortening (i.e., muscle contracture). Although the mechanism of action of BoNT-A on p-ROM is far from understood, pain relief may be hypothesized to play a role. To test this hypothesis, a retrospective investigation of p-ROM and pain was conducted in post-stroke patients treated with BoNT-A for upper limb hypertonia. Among 70 stroke patients enrolled in the study, muscle tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), pathological postures, p-ROM, and pain during p-ROM assessment (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS) were investigated in elbow flexors (48 patients) and in finger flexors (64 patients), just before and 3–6 weeks after BoNT-A treatment. Before BoNT-A treatment, pathological postures of elbow flexion were found in all patients but one. A decreased elbow p-ROM was found in 18 patients (38%). Patients with decreased p-ROM had higher pain-NRS scores (5.08 1.96, with a pain score 8 in 11% of cases) than patients with normal p-ROM (0.57 1.36) (p < 0.001). Similarly, pathological postures of finger flexion were found in all patients but two. A decreased finger p-ROM was found in 14 patients (22%). Pain was more intense in the 14 patients with decreased p-ROM (8.43 1.74, with a pain score 8 in 86% of cases) than in the 50 patients with normal p-ROM (0.98 1.89) (p < 0.001). After BoNT-A treatment, muscle tone, pathological postures, and pain decreased in both elbow and finger flexors. In contrast, p-ROM increased only in finger flexors. The study discusses that pain plays a pivotal role in the increase in p-ROM observed after BoNT-A treatment.
Increasing the passive range of joint motion in stroke patients using botulinum toxin. The role of pain relief / Carlo, Trompetto; Lucio, Marinelli; Laura, Mori; Nicola, Bragazzi; Giulia, Maggi; Filippo, Cotellessa; Luca, Puce; Lucilla, Vestito; Franco, Molteni; Giulio, Gasperini; Nico, Farina; Luciano, Bissolotti; Francesco, Sciarrini; Marzia, Millevolte; Fabrizio, Balestrieri; Domenico Antonio Restivo, ; Carmelo, Chisari; Andrea, Santamato; Alessandra Del Felice, ; Paolo, Manganotti; Carlo, Serrati; Curra', Antonio. - In: TOXINS. - ISSN 2072-6651. - 15:5(2023). [10.3390/toxins15050335]
Increasing the passive range of joint motion in stroke patients using botulinum toxin. The role of pain relief
Antonio Currà
2023
Abstract
By blocking the release of neurotransmitters, botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) is an effective treatment for muscle over-activity and pain in stroke patients. BoNT-A has also been reported to increase passive range of motion (p-ROM), the decrease of which is mainly due to muscle shortening (i.e., muscle contracture). Although the mechanism of action of BoNT-A on p-ROM is far from understood, pain relief may be hypothesized to play a role. To test this hypothesis, a retrospective investigation of p-ROM and pain was conducted in post-stroke patients treated with BoNT-A for upper limb hypertonia. Among 70 stroke patients enrolled in the study, muscle tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), pathological postures, p-ROM, and pain during p-ROM assessment (Numeric Rating Scale, NRS) were investigated in elbow flexors (48 patients) and in finger flexors (64 patients), just before and 3–6 weeks after BoNT-A treatment. Before BoNT-A treatment, pathological postures of elbow flexion were found in all patients but one. A decreased elbow p-ROM was found in 18 patients (38%). Patients with decreased p-ROM had higher pain-NRS scores (5.08 1.96, with a pain score 8 in 11% of cases) than patients with normal p-ROM (0.57 1.36) (p < 0.001). Similarly, pathological postures of finger flexion were found in all patients but two. A decreased finger p-ROM was found in 14 patients (22%). Pain was more intense in the 14 patients with decreased p-ROM (8.43 1.74, with a pain score 8 in 86% of cases) than in the 50 patients with normal p-ROM (0.98 1.89) (p < 0.001). After BoNT-A treatment, muscle tone, pathological postures, and pain decreased in both elbow and finger flexors. In contrast, p-ROM increased only in finger flexors. The study discusses that pain plays a pivotal role in the increase in p-ROM observed after BoNT-A treatment.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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