Outcomes of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy in spacticity

Abstract

Aim: Spasticity is associated with various neurological conditions. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is one of the popular treatments for severe spasticity. In this paper we present our experience in treating 30 patients with both spinal and supraspinal spasticity with chronic infusion of Baclofen to evaluate the long term efficacy of this treatment on spasticity, disability and pain, and to evaluate the side effects of intrathecal Baclofen. Material and Methods: The medical records of 30 patients who underwent baclofen pump placement from 2000 to 2010 under Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Akdeniz at Antalya/Turkey, were reviewed. All study subjects had diffuse chronic, severe, and generalized spasticity (Ashworth score ≥ 3), and had shown inadequate response to various oral antispastic drugs including baclofen. All patients were evaluated by means of the Ashworth score, spasm frequency, Barthel index, Rankin scales and VAS. Results: Spasticity and spasm frequency and pain scores were clinically and statistically decreased in all patients. Conclusion: ITB therapy increases the quality of lifestyle and functional independence by reducing not only cerebral but also spinal related spasticity in appropriately selected cases.