Effect of baseline spastic hemiparesis on recovery of upper-limb function following botulinum toxin type A injections and postinjection therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether baseline hand spastic hemiparesis assessed by the Chedoke-McMaster Assessment influences functional improvement after botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injections and postinjection therapy.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
SETTING: Outpatient spasticity clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=14) with spastic hemiparesis divided into 2 groups: Chedoke-McMaster Assessment Hand-Higher Function (stage> or =4, n=5) and Chedoke-McMaster Assessment Hand-Lower Function (stage=2 or 3, n=9).
INTERVENTIONS: Upper-limb BTX-A injections followed by 6 weeks of postinjection therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were Motor Activity Log-28 and Motor Activity Log items. Secondary outcomes were Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Motor Activity Log-Self-Report, and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Measures were assessed at baseline (preinjection), 6 weeks, 9 weeks, and 12 weeks postinjection.
RESULTS: Primary and secondary outcomes improved significantly over time in both groups. Although no significant differences in ARAT or MAS change scores were noted between groups, Chedoke-McMaster Assessment Hand-Higher Function group demonstrated greater change on Motor Activity Log-28 (P=.013) from baseline to 6 weeks and Motor Activity Log items (P=.006) from baseline to 12 weeks compared to Chedoke-McMaster Assessment Hand-Lower Function group.
CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A injections and postinjection therapy improved hand function and reduced spasticity for both Chedoke-McMaster Assessment Hand-Higher Function and Chedoke-McMaster Assessment Hand-Lower Function groups. Clinicians should expect to see larger gains for persons with less baseline impairment.