Patient experiences with intrathecal baclofen as a treatment for spasticity – a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose: This study describes how patients experience intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment. Methods: Data were collected from interviews with 14 patients (19–76 years old) who were diagnosed with spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy (CP). Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Result: The analysis resulted in 16 subcategories arranged into five main categories: procedures before treatment, the effect of ITB on daily life and activities, continuous follow-up, expected and unexpected consequences of ITB, and overall level of satisfaction with ITB. Together these categories described the patients' experiences with ITB treatment. When the patients were asked whether they would undergo ITB again, they all stated that they would. Conclusion: Patients stated that they were highly satisfied with the ITB treatment. However, the patients identified several areas that could be improved. Specifically, the patients wanted more information about the different steps in the treatment process and what to expect from ITB treatment.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• An overall satisfaction with the effect from ITB treatment was shown, but some areas still need to be improved.

• Complications following ITB treatment still remain a major concern for the patient group.

• Future clinical practice, should address how to take into account patients' expectations and define relevant goals with respect to ITB treatment as well as how to supply professional information.

• Clinical practice
• evaluation
• interviews
• spinal cord injury

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all patients supporting our study by agreeing to participate in the interviews. We also would like to thank the professional secretaries Kristina Andersson and Anette Engström for transcribing the interviews. We also would like to thank Anna-Christina Ek for her valuable discussions and thoughtful advice.

Declaration of interest

Financial support for this study came from the Swedish Association of Persons with Neurological Disabilities, the Norrbacka-Eugenia Foundation, and the County Council of Östergötland. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.