Intrinsic properties and functional changes in spastic muscle after application of BTX-A in children with cerebral palsy: Systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This article aimed to review the literature to verify the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on the intrinsic properties of spastic muscles and functionality in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: A literature search was conducted in the following databases: CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science and PubMed. Database searches were limited to the period from January 1993 to March 2014. Results: A total of 2182 papers were identified, and 17 met the inclusion criteria. Only one study analyzed the effect of the toxin on muscle intrinsic properties and others analyzed the effect on functionality. Conclusion: BTX-A application demonstrated no changes in the passive stiffness of spastic muscle. In relation to functional level, the evidence of BTX-A effect was controversial. These studies showed methodological quality limitations that restrict the interpretation of the results for the entire CP population, which justifies the need for further randomized controlled trials.

• Botulinum toxin
• functionality
• motor developmental
• muscle spasticity
• rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank the fellowship provided by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico CNPq. L.F.G.S. was master student supported by Programa Estudantes-Convênio de Pós-Graduação – PEC-PG, da CAPES/CNPq – Brazil.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.