Non-Pharmacological Adjuvant Therapies After Botulinum Toxin Injection for Spasticity Control: Narrative Review

Authors

  • Eduardo Estribio Gonçalves Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Alexandre Camões-Barbosa Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Denise Marruaz Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Duarte Calado Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Sergio Pinho Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25759/spmfr.430

Keywords:

BotulinumToxins, ElectricStimulationTherapy, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Muscle Spasticity/ therapy

Abstract

Introduction: This article aims to expose the current scientific evidence concerning adjuvant therapeutic options of botulinum toxin in the control of spasticity.

Methods: A narrative review of the literature published in the Medscape, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases until December 2020 was performed. The terms used in the research were: “botulinum toxin”, “spasticity” and “adjunct therapy”. A total of 137 articles emerged from the research. Case reports, articles of dubious methodological rigor and articles not specifically referring to the objective of the study were excluded. Meta-analysis studies, systematic and narrative reviews as well as controlled and randomized clinical trials were included. After applying the mentioned criteria, 23 articles were selected.

Results: The scientific evidence of the different therapeutic options identified was divided into the following categories: physiotherapy/kinesitherapy (stretching, functional training and other interventions), orthoses, plastered immobilizations, functional bands, modified constraint-induced movement therapy and physical agents (electrostimulation, ultrasound, extracorporeal shock waves and vibration). Comparative studies between therapeutic modalities after the application of BoNT-A were also identified.

In general, a shortage of evidence for the effectiveness of the various modalities mentioned and, in some cases, evidence of lack of benefit from certain associations was found. Even so, clinical trials with promising interventions were identified, namely the ones that targeted physiotherapy with an association of techniques, electrostimulation, and shock waves therapy. The authors also identified comparative studies that seem to indicate the superiority of electrostimulation and functional bands in relation to stretches, the superiority of shock waves therapy in relation to electrostimulation and the superiority of plastered immobilizations compared to stretches.

Conclusion: Prescribing physical therapy with functional training, electrostimulation, shock waves therapy and occasionally using orthoses for intermittent use, may be the most advantageous strategies after the application of BoNT- A. Ultrasound, body vibration and stretching (mainly if applied alone) seem to be less useful. The choice of the specific adjuvant therapy is limited by the available scientific evidence, and the must meet the patient’s, caregivers’ and rehabilitation resources’ particularities.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Eduardo Estribio Gonçalves, Serviço de Medicina Física e de Reabilitação, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal

Médico Interno de Formação Específica em Medicina Física e de Reabilitação do Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental

References

Mills PB, Finlayson H, Sudol M, O’Connor R. Systematic review of adjunct therapies to improve outcomes following botulinum toxin injection for treatment of limb spasticity. Clin Rehabil. 2016;30(6):537-548. doi:10.1177/0269215515593783

Feldman R. Spasticity: Disordered Motor Control.; 1980.

Cardoso E, Rodrigues B, Lucena R, Oliveira IR de, Pedreira G, Melo A. Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of the upper limb spasticity after stroke: a meta-analysis. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2005;63(1):30-33. doi:10.1590/S0004-282X2005000100006

Simpson DM, Gracies J-M, Graham HK, et al. Assessment: Botulinum neurotoxin for the treatment of spasticity (an evidence-based review): [RETIRED]. Neurology. 2008;70(19):1691-1698. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000311391.00944.c4

Moeini-Naghani I, Hashemi-Zonouz T, Jabbari B. Botulinum Toxin Treatment of Spasticity in Adults and Children. Semin Neurol. 2016;36(01):064-072. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1571847

Picelli A, Santamato A, Chemello E, et al. Adjuvant treatments associated with botulinum toxin injection for managing spasticity: An overview of the literature. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2019;62(4):291-296. doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2018.08.004

Bovend’Eerdt TJ, Newman M, Barker K, Dawes H, Minelli C, Wade DT. The Effects of Stretching in Spasticity: A Systematic Review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89(7):1395-1406. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.02.015

Katalinic OM, Harvey LA, Herbert RD. Effectiveness of Stretch for the Treatment and Prevention of Contractures in People With Neurological Conditions: A Systematic Review. Phys Ther. 2011;91(1):11-24. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100265

Harvey LA, Katalinic OM, Herbert RD, Moseley AM, Lannin NA, Schurr K. Stretch for the treatment and prevention of contracture: an abridged republication of a Cochrane Systematic Review. J Physiother. 2017;63(2):67-75. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2017.02.014

Giovannelli M, Borriello G, Castri P, Prosperini L, Pozzilli C. Early physiotherapy after injection of botulinum toxin increases the beneficial effects on spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis. Clin Rehabil. 2007;21(4):331-337. doi:10.1177/0269215507072772

Lannin NA, Ada L, English C, et al. Effect of Additional Rehabilitation After Botulinum Toxin-A on Upper Limb Activity in Chronic Stroke. Stroke. 2020;51(2):556-562. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.027602

Fonseca Jr. PR, Calhes Franco de Moura R, Galli M, Santos Oliveira C. Effect of physiotherapeutic intervention on the gait after the application of botulinum toxin in children with cerebral palsy: systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2018;54(5). doi:10.23736/S1973-9087.17.04940-1

Kerr L, Jewell VD, Jensen L. Stretching and Splinting Interventions for Poststroke Spasticity, Hand Function, and Functional Tasks: A Systematic Review. Am J Occup Ther. 2020;74(5):7405205050p1. doi:10.5014/ajot.2020.029454

Lannin NA, Herbert RD. Is hand splinting effective for adults following stroke? A systematic review and methodological critique of published research. Clin Rehabil. 2003;17(8):807-816. doi:10.1191/0269215503cr682oa

Sung EJ, Chun MH, Hong JY, Do KH. Effects of a Resting Foot Splint in Early Brain Injury Patients. Ann Rehabil Med. 2016;40(1):135. doi:10.5535/arm.2016.40.1.135

Lai JM, Francisco GE, Willis FB. Dynamic splinting after treatment with botulinum toxin type-A: A randomized controlled pilot study. Adv Ther. 2009;26(2):241-248. doi:10.1007/s12325-008-0139-2

Malek Amini, Aryan Shamili, Bijan Frough, Marzieh Pashmdarfard AA. Combined effect of botulinum toxin and splinting on motor components and function of people suffering a stroke. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2016;30:373.

Giray E, Gencer Atalay K, Eren N, Gündüz OH, Karadag-Saygi E. Effects of dynamic lycra orthosis as an adjunct to rehabilitation after botulinum toxin-A injection of the upper-limb in adults following stroke: A single-blinded randomized controlled pilot study. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2020;27(6):473-481. doi:10.1080/10749357.2019.1704371

Lannin NA, Novak I, Cusick A. A systematic review of upper extremity casting for children and adults with central nervous system motor disorders. Clin Rehabil. 2007;21(11):963-976. doi:10.1177/0269215507079141

Simona Farina, Claudia Migliorini, Marialuisa Gandolfi, L Bertolasi, Matteo Casarotto, Paolo Manganotti, Antonio Fiaschi NS. Combined effects of botulinum toxin and casting treatments on lower limb spasticity after stroke. Funct Neurol. 2008;23:87-91.

Dai AI, Demiryürek AT. Serial Casting as an Adjunct to Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatment in Children With Cerebral Palsy and Spastic Paraparesis With Scissoring of the Lower Extremities. J Child Neurol. 2017;32(7):671-675. doi:10.1177/0883073817701526

Newman CJ, Kennedy A, Walsh M, O’Brien T, Lynch B, Hensey O. A Pilot Study of Delayed Versus Immediate Serial Casting After Botulinum Toxin Injection for Partially Reducible Spastic Equinus. J Pediatr Orthop. 2007;27(8):882-885. doi:10.1097/BPO.0b013e31815b4d7d

Karadag-Saygi E, Cubukcu-Aydoseli K, Kablan N, Ofluoglu D. The Role of Kinesiotaping Combined With Botulinum Toxin to Reduce Plantar Flexors Spasticity After Stroke. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2010;17(4):318-322. doi:10.1310/tsr1704-318

Reiter F, Danni M, Lagalla G, Ceravolo G, Provinciali L. Low-dose botulinum toxin with ankle taping for the treatment of spastic equinovarus foot after stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998;79(5):532-535. doi:10.1016/S0003-9993(98)90068-5

Sun S-F, Hsu C-W, Sun H-P, Hwang C-W, Yang C-L, Wang J-L. Combined Botulinum Toxin Type A With Modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy for Chronic Stroke Patients With Upper Extremity Spasticity: A Randomized Controlled Study. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2010;24(1):34-41. doi:10.1177/1545968309341060

Hesse S, Reiter F, Konrad M, Jahnke MT. Botulinum toxin type A and short-term electrical stimulation in the treatment of upper limb flexor spasticity after stroke: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 1998;12(5):381-388. doi:10.1191/026921598668275996

Hesse S, Jahnke MT, Luecke D, Mauritz KH. Short-term electrical stimulation enhances the effectiveness of Botulinum toxin in the treatment of lower limb spasticity in hemiparetic patients. Neurosci Lett. 1995;201(1):37-40. doi:10.1016/0304-3940(94)12124-9

Bayram S, Sivrioglu K, Karli N, Ozcan O. Low-Dose Botulinum Toxin with Short-Term Electrical Stimulation in Poststroke Spastic Drop Foot. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2006;85(1):75-81. doi:10.1097/01.phm.0000193505.85874.61

Weber DJ, Skidmore ER, Niyonkuru C, Chang C-L, Huber LM, Munin MC. Cyclic Functional Electrical Stimulation Does Not Enhance Gains in Hand Grasp Function When Used as an Adjunct to OnabotulinumtoxinA and Task Practice Therapy: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91(5):679-686. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2010.01.010

Elnaggar RK, Elbanna MF. Evaluation of independent versus integrated effects of reciprocal electrical stimulation and botulinum toxin-A on dynamic limits of postural stability and ankle kinematics in spastic diplegia: a single-blinded randomized trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2019;55(2). doi:10.23736/S1973-9087.18.05196-1

Lin S, Sun Q, Wang H, Xie G. Influence of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on spasticity, balance, and walking speed in stroke patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Rehabil Med. 2018;50(1):3-7. doi:10.2340/16501977-2266

Nakhostin Ansari N, Naghdi S, Hasson S, Rastgoo M. Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound and infrared in the management of muscle spasticity. Brain Inj. 2009;23(7-8):632-638. doi:10.1080/02699050902973939

Sahin N, Ugurlu H, Karahan AY. Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of spasticity: A randomized controlled study. NeuroRehabilitation. 2011;29(1):61-66. doi:10.3233/NRE-2011-0678

Kim H-J, Park J-W, Nam K. Effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on muscle spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy: meta-analysis and systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2020;55(6). doi:10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05888-X

Wu Y-T, Chang C-N, Chen Y-M, Hu G-C. Comparison of the effect of focused and radial extracorporeal shock waves on spastic equinus in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2018;54(4):518-525. doi:10.23736/S1973-9087.17.04801-8

Dymarek R, Ptaszkowski K, Ptaszkowska L, et al. Shock Waves as a Treatment Modality for Spasticity Reduction and Recovery Improvement in Post-Stroke Adults – Current Evidence and Qualitative Systematic Review. Clin Interv Aging. 2020;Volume 15:9-28. doi:10.2147/CIA.S221032

Picelli A, La Marchina E, Gajofatto F, et al. Sonographic and clinical effects of botulinum toxin Type A combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy on spastic muscles of children with cerebral palsy. Dev Neurorehabil. 2017;20(3):160-164. doi:10.3109/17518423.2015.1105320

Huang M, Liao L-R, Pang MY. Effects of whole body vibration on muscle spasticity for people with central nervous system disorders: a systematic review. Clin Rehabil. 2017;31(1):23-33. doi:10.1177/0269215515621117

Noma T, Matsumoto S, Shimodozono M, Etoh S, Kawahira K. Anti-spastic effects of the direct application of vibratory stimuli to the spastic muscles of hemiplegic limbs in post-stroke patients: A proof-of-principle study. J Rehabil Med. 2012;44(4):325-330. doi:10.2340/16501977-0946

Caliandro P, Celletti C, Padua L, et al. Focal Muscle Vibration in the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasticity: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Patients With Chronic Stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012;93(9):1656-1661. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2012.04.002

Sadeghi M, Sawatzky B. Effects of Vibration on Spasticity in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2014;93(11):995-1007. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000098

Celletti C, Camerota F. Preliminary evidence of focal muscle vibration effects on spasticity due to cerebral palsy in a small sample of Italian children. Clin Ter. 2011;162(5):e125-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22041808

Paoloni M, Giovannelli M, Mangone M, et al. Does giving segmental muscle vibration alter the response to botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis? A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil. 2013;27(9):803-812. doi:10.1177/0269215513480956

Baricich A, Carda S, Bertoni M, Maderna L, Cisari C. A single-blinded, randomized pilot study of botulinum toxin type A combined with non-pharmacological treatment for spastic foot. J Rehabil Med. 2008;40(10):870-872. doi:10.2340/16501977-0251

Santamato A, Notarnicola A, Panza F, et al. SBOTE Study: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Versus Electrical Stimulation After Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Post-Stroke Spasticity–A Prospective Randomized Trial. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2013;39(2):283-291. doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2012.09.019

Carda S, Invernizzi M, Baricich A, Cisari C. Casting, taping or stretching after botulinum toxin type A for spastic equinus foot: a single-blind randomized trial on adult stroke patients. Clin Rehabil. 2011;25(12):1119-1127. doi:10.1177/0269215511405080

Additional Files

Published

2021-12-23

How to Cite

1.
Gonçalves EE, Camões-Barbosa A, Marruaz D, Calado D, Pinho S. Non-Pharmacological Adjuvant Therapies After Botulinum Toxin Injection for Spasticity Control: Narrative Review. SPMFR [Internet]. 2021 Dec. 23 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];33(3):118-31. Available from: https://spmfrjournal.org/index.php/spmfr/article/view/430

Issue

Section

Review Article

Similar Articles

<< < 9 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.