OBJECTIVE: To compare results from two approaches used in conjunction with botulinum toxin type A administration in rehabilitation: the application of a taping system and the electrical stimulation of the injected muscles and splinting.
DESIGN: Case-control study.
SETTING: Two tertiary care rehabilitation hospitals in Italy.
SUBJECTS: Sixty-five adult subjects affected by spasticity of the wrist and finger flexors.
INTERVENTIONS: After injection with botulinum toxin type A, the group at hospital A (n=33) was treated with adhesive taping for six days and those at hospital B (n=32) with electrical stimulation and splinting for six days. Spastic hypertonia at the injected muscles was assessed before treatment, one week and one month post injection.
MAIN MEASURES: Modified Ashworth Scale.
RESULTS: In group A, the mean Modified Ashworth Scale reduction was 2.76 +/- 0.94 for wrist flexors and 2.45 +/- 0.92 for finger flexors; in group B the mean Modified Ashworth Scale reduction was 2.18 +/- 1.11 for wrist flexors and 2.1 +/- 0.98 for finger flexors. The observed difference between the two groups was statistically relevant (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with adhesive taping and botulinum toxin type A achieved a greater reduction in spastic hypertonia as measured with Modified Ashworth Scale, with less time dedicated for the treatment.