2004 suplement 2

Back

Volume 13, suplement 2

Interdisciplinary problems of spasticity

New methods in the treatment for upper limb spasticity in post-stroke patients

ANDRZEJ KWOLEK1,2, TERESA POP1
1. Instytutu Fizjoterapii Uniwersytetu Rzeszowskiego
2. Oddziału Rehabilitacji Szpitala Wojewódzkiego Nr 2 w Rzeszowie
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 2004, suplement 2 (18), 53-57
Keywords: spasticity, cerebral stroke, upper limb

Abstract

Aim. Severe spasticity of paretic limbs in patients after stroke aggravates impairment of their mobility functions, making rehabilitation and nursing care more difficult. This paper presents the results of treatment for spasticity of the upper limb and hand in patients after stroke, rehabilitated in the Department with new methods, i.e. botulin toxin and cryotherapy.

Subjects and method. Botulin toxin was administered to the upper limb and hand muscles affected by spasticity in 44 patients after stroke, while local cryotherapy with nitrogen vapors was applied to 80 patients. The treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Modified Ashworth Scale, the Brunnström scale, and the Barthel Index.

Results. Application of botulin toxin and cryotherapy resulted in a reduction of the upper limb and hand spasticity as assessed by the Ashworth scale.

Conclusion. A favourable effect of the botulin toxin treatment and of cryotherapy on the functional status of the paretic limb was noted.

Address for correspondence:
Andrzej Kwolek, Oddział Rehabilitacji Szpitala Wojewódzkiego Nr 2,
ul. Lwowska 60, 35-301 Rzeszów, e-mail: kwoleka@02.pl