Measuring Effects on Pain and Quality of Life after Abobotulinum Toxin A Injections in Children with Cerebral Palsy

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Sixty-seven percent of children with cerebral palsy (CCP) experience pain. Pain is closely interrelated to diminished quality of life. Despite this, pain is an overlooked and undertreated clinical problem. The objective of this study was to examine the analgesic effect of a single lower extremity intramuscular injection of Abobotulinum toxin A/Dysport in CCP. Twenty-five CCP with at least moderate pain (r-FLACC ≥ 4) during passive range of motion were included. Localized pain and pain in everyday living were measured by r-FLACC and the Paediatric Pain Profile (PPP), respectively. Functional improvements were evaluated by the goal attainment scale (SMART GAS). Quality of life was evaluated by either the CPCHILD or the CP-QOL. The subjects were evaluated at baseline before injection, then after 4, 12, and 28 weeks. Twenty-two subjects had a significant mean and maximum localized pain reduction (p < 0.001) at four weeks post-treatment in 96% (21/22). The reduction was maintained at 12 (19/19) and 28 weeks (12/15). Daily pain evaluated by the PPP was significantly reduced and functional SMART GAS goals were significantly achieved from 4 to 28 weeks. Quality of life improved significantly at four weeks (CPCHILD). Significant functional gains and localized and daily pain reduction were seen from 4 to 28 weeks.

Original languageEnglish
Article number43
JournalToxins
Volume14
Issue number1
Number of pages15
ISSN2072-6651
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

    Research areas

  • Botulinum toxins type A, Cerebral palsy, Children, Musculoskeletal pain, Pain

ID: 314960573