Effects of early spasticity treatment on children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a preliminary study

Objective: To compare motor and functional performance of two groups of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HOP). Only the study group (SG) received early treatment of spasticity with botulinum neurotoxin type A (BXT-A). Methods: Gross Motor Function Measure (GM FM), functional performance (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - PEDI), range of movement, gait pattern (Physician Rating Scale - PRS) and the speed of hand movements were considered. Results: The SG, composed of 11 HOP (45.64 +/- 6.3 months), was assessed in relation to the comparison group, composed of 13 HOP (45.92 +/- 6.4 months). SG showed higher scores in four of the five GMFM dimensions, which included scores that were statistically significant for dimension B, and higher scores in five of the six areas evaluated in the PEDI. Active wrist extension, the speed of hand movements and PRS score were higher in the SG. Conclusion: Children who received early BXT-A treatment for spasticity showed higher scores in motor and functional performance.