The relief effect of botulinum toxin-a for spastic iliopsoas of cerebral palsy on children

OBJECTIVE: This work intended to observe the effect of injecting botolinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for relieving spastic iliopsoas of cerebral palsy on children, and to investigate the improvement of this method for the motor function in these children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2006 to August 2012, 37 children with spastic iliopsoas cerebral palsy were received rehabilitation therapy. The age ranged from 3 to 15 years. The control group were treated by conventional physical therapy (PY). The experimental group were treated not only by the conventional physical therapy, but also BTX-A injection. The dose of BTX-A injection was according to the weight of the child and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The dose of the injection ranged from 15 IU to 45 IU with the average dose 31.2 +/- 13.9 IU. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two the groups on ages, weight and MAS, GMFM (Gross Motor Function Measure) and extension angle of hip joints before treatment. In both groups, the Modified Ashworth Scale decreased, GMFM and extension angle of hip joints increased after eight weeks. In the control group, the GMFM improved significantly. In the experimental group, MAS, GMFM and extension angle of hip joints changed significantly after therapy. There was significant difference between two groups in MAS, GMFM and extension angle of hip joints after two months. CONCLUSIONS: The BTX-A injection can relieve iliopsoas spasticity of cerebral palsy on children efficiently. This therapy can help children to correct abnormal gait and to improve their motor function.