Mechanical measurements of the effects of intrathecal baclofen dosage adjustments in cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004 Jan;83(1):33-41
Date
01/08/2004Pubmed ID
14709973DOI
10.1097/01.PHM.0000104660.89052.39Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0346158091 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of using mechanical measures of stretch reflexes to monitor spasticity after intrathecal baclofen dosage changes.
DESIGN: Mechanical measures were made in studying six participants with cerebral palsy who were undergoing treatment for spasticity using intrathecal baclofen therapy. Mechanical measurements of stretch reflexes were made before and after pump implant in four of the six participants and after dosage changes in all participants, for a period of up to 2 yrs. The measurements comprised electromyograms and resistive torque responses to movement of the ankle, imposed with an isokinetic dynamometer. For each test session, random movements were applied to the ankle at each of four to seven speeds, repeated three or five times.
RESULTS: Stretch reflex excitability decreased in three of four participants after initiation of intrathecal baclofen therapy and decreased with increasing dosages in three of the six participants. Broken catheters coincided with heightened mechanical measures in two cases.
CONCLUSION: Mechanical measures of stretch reflexes change after intrathecal baclofen dosage adjustments, reflecting the clinical course of intrathecal baclofen therapy.
Author List
Schmit BD, Gaebler-Spira DAuthor
Brian Schmit PhD Professor in the Biomedical Engineering department at Marquette UniversityMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdult
Baclofen
Biomechanical Phenomena
Cerebral Palsy
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Electromyography
Female
Humans
Injections, Spinal
Male
Muscle Relaxants, Central
Pilot Projects
Reflex, Stretch
Severity of Illness Index
