Effects of botulinum toxin injection in conjunction with functional training on gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy

【Objective】 To study the effects of botulinum toxin A(BTX-A)injection in conjunction with functional training in children with spastic cerebral palsy(SCP). 【Methods】 Fourty-two children with SCP were randomly divided into a treatment group(groupⅠ)and a control group(groupⅡ).The twenty-two children in groupⅠ were treated with BTX-A and functional training,while those in groupⅡ were treated with functional training alone.Composite Spasticity Scale(CSS) and Gross Motor Function Measure(GMFM) were performed before treatment and at 2 weeks,and 1,3 and 6 months after treatment. 【Results】 The spasticity was reduced in group Ⅰ after 2 weeks of treatment and in group Ⅱ after 1 month of treatment.They were maintained at 6 months after treatment.When comparing with the results before treatment,the improvement of standing and walking(GMFM) was statistically significant after 1 month of treatment,and maintained at 6 months of treatment.Furthermore,the differences of CSS and GMFM between 2 groups at 3 months examination were also statistically significant. 【Conclusion】 BTX-A injection in conjunction with functional training is more effective on reducing spasticity and improving gross motor function in children with SCP.