background: this study evaluated the efficacy of focal intramuscular injection of botulinum (bont) toxin type a in comparison with oral tizanidine (tzd) in treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity. methods: this was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial that recruited 68 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity. thirty-four patients received bont (dysport(®)) injections in aff...

OBJECTIVE To document the frequency, clinical correlates and predictors of symptomatic upper limb spasticity in patients one year or more after stroke. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS A total of 140 patients after stroke attending a rehabilitation clinic. METHODS Assessments of spasticity, upper limb function and self-care ability using the Ashworth Scale (AS), Motor Assessment Sca...

Spasticity is a common disabling disorder that occurs from 17 to 43% in patients with stroke affecting both the upper and the lower limb [1-4]. If left untreated, it can hamper functional outcome by promoting persistent abnormal posture that in turn produces muscular-tendon contractures and bone deformity. Several functional limitations arise from spasticity including impaired movement, hygiene...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Botulinum toxin is increasingly used to treat upper limb spasticity due to stroke, but its impact on arm function is unclear. We evaluated botulinum toxin for upper limb spasticity and function poststroke. METHODS Three hundred thirty-three patients with stroke with upper limb spasticity and reduced arm function participated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial....

Background: Tai chi (TC) has been reported as being beneficial for improving balance post stroke, yet its utility in upper limb rehabilitation remains unknown. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke survivors with persistent paresis of an upper limb underwent 60 minutes of adapted TC twice a week for eight weeks, with a 4-week follow up. A 10-min TC home program was recommended for the days without ses...

OBJECTIVES To describe ambulatory rehabilitation programmes (physical and occupational therapy activities and interventions) following botulinum toxin injections for post-stroke spasticity using a stroke rehabilitation taxonomy. To explore the relationship between therapy provided and injected limb/s and treatment goals. DESIGN Prospective, observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS Stroke su...

BACKGROUND Limited empirical information exists regarding botulinum toxin-A injector decision-making practices for adult upper limb post-stroke spasticity. The design of most studies prevents such an assessment, as injection sites and dosage are mandated by researcher protocols. This contrasts to usual injector practices, where individualized decision-making is the standard of care. DESIGN Se...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE There is currently no consensus on (1) the percentage of patients who develop spasticity after ischemic stroke, (2) the relation between spasticity and initial clinical findings after acute stroke, and (3) the impact of spasticity on activities of daily living and health-related quality of life. METHODS In a prospective cohort study, 301 consecutive patients with clinic...