Somatosensory evoked potentials of hand muscles in stroke and their modification by botulinum toxin: A preliminary study

Authors

  • Aynur Basaran
  • Ufuk Emre
  • Kiymet Ikbal Karadavut
  • Nercivan Bulmus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0978

Keywords:

stroke, spasticity, upper extremity, somatosensory evoked potentials, botulinum toxin.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of botulinum toxin A on spasticity and somatosensory evoked potentials of hand muscles in patients who have undergone cerebrovascular accident. Design: Preliminary, prospective, before-after study design. Patients: Six subjects prospectively followed after application of botulinum toxin A in the rehabilitation department of a university hospital. Methods: All patients underwent botulinum toxin A injection to the upper extremity muscles in varying combinations and carried out a home-based exercise programme. Primary outcome measure was median somatosensory evoked potential of hand muscles (N20). Secondary outcome measures were: spasticity assessed clinically by Modified Ashworth Scales (MAS); functional ability analysis assessed by Physician?s Rating Scale (PRS); and functional difficulties reported by patients or their care-givers by patient disability and care-giver burden rating scale (PD & CBRS). Results: MAS, PRS and PD & CBRS improved with botulinum toxin A treatment. In the affected limb, N20 potentials were impaired compared with those in the unaffected side. With botulinum toxin A treatment, although improvement in overall N20-P25 amplitudes was significant, as a result of limited sample size, post hoc pair-wise comparisons with Bonferroni correction failed to yield any significant pairs. Conclusion: The improvement in the median somatosensory evoked potentials following botulinum toxin A treatment suggests that central somatosensory patterns in hemiplegia can be modified by peripheral inputs.

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Published

2012-04-16

How to Cite

Basaran, A., Emre, U., Karadavut, K. I., & Bulmus, N. (2012). Somatosensory evoked potentials of hand muscles in stroke and their modification by botulinum toxin: A preliminary study. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 44(7), 541–546. https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0978

Issue

Section

Original Report