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Botox could make walking easier in children with cerebral palsy
A randomized clinical trial published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology has assessed whether injections of botulinumtoxin-A in calf muscles benefit children with cerebral palsy.
"We hypothesized that injections with botulinumtoxin-A in the calf muscles would make walking easier, caused by improved ankle joint functioning following spasticity reduction," the authors wrote.
In the trial, one botulinumtoxin-A treatment was not superior to placebo in making walking easier (measured as a reduction in energy cost or improved walking capacity); however, there was some evidence of a delayed improvement in energy cost. Moreover, there was some evidence of a decrease in calf pain intensity. No serious adverse events related to botulinumtoxin-A treatment were recorded.
More information: Does botulinum toxin A make walking easier in children with cerebral palsy? A Randomized Clinical Trial, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16038
