The Italian real-life post-stroke spasticity survey: unmet needs in the management of spasticity with botulinum toxin type A.

The Italian real-life post-stroke spasticity survey: unmet needs in the management of spasticity with botulinum toxin type A. Funct Neurol. 2017 Apr/Jun;32(2):89-96 Authors: Picelli A, Baricich A, Cisari C, Paolucci S, Smania N, Sandrini G Abstract The present national survey seeking to identify unmet needs in the management of spasticity with botulinum toxin type A focused on the use of OnabotulinumoxinA, since this is the brand with the widest range of licensed indications in Italy. Physicians from twenty-four Italian neurorehabilitation units compiled a questionnaire about "real-life" post-stroke spasticity management. OnabotulinumtoxinA was reported to be used in the following average doses: upper limb 316.7 ± 79.1 units; lower limb 327.8 ± 152.3; upper and lower limb 543.7 ± 123.7 units. Of the physicians surveyed, 37.5% felt that increasing the frequency of OnabotulinumtoxinA injection would improve its efficacy; 70.8% use electrical stimulation/electromyography guidance (one fourth of injections with no instrumental guidance). Instrumental evaluation was used by 41.7% of the physicians. The participants expressed the view that early identification of post-stroke spasticity would be facilitated by the availability of a post-stroke checklist, and that this should be used by physiotherapists (91.7%), physiatrists (58.3%), family doctors (50%), stroke unit physicians (25%), patients and caregivers (79.2%). According to our find...
Source: Functional Neurology - Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research