Botox Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Botox, including details on cosmetic botox, side-effects, alternatives, treatment.

Botulinum toxin A for treatment of upper limb spasticity following stroke: a multi-centre randomized placebo-controlled study of the effects on quality of life and other person-centred outcomes.

McCrory P, Turner-Stokes L, Baguley IJ, De Graaff S, Katrak P, Sandanam J, Davies L, Munns M, Hughes A

Box Hill Hospital & Melbourne University, Melbourne, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin is known to relieve upper limb spasticity, which is a disabling complication of stroke. We examined its effect on quality of life and other person-centred perspectives. DESIGN: A multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PATIENTS: Ninety-six patients were randomized (mean age 59.5 years) at least 6 months post-stroke. Mean time since stroke was 5.9 years. METHODS: Patients received either botulinum toxin type A or placebo into the affected distal upper limb muscles on 2 occasions, 12 weeks apart. Assessment was undertaken at baseline, 8, 12, 20 and 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the Assessment of Quality of Life scale (AQoL). Secondary outcome assessments included Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), pain, mood, global benefit, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), disability and carer burden. RESULTS: The groups did not differ significantly with respect to quality of life, pain, mood, disability or carer burden. However, patients treated with botulinum toxin type A had significantly greater reduction in spasticity (MAS) (p < 0.001), which translated into higher GAS scores (p < 0.01) and greater global benefit (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Although no change in quality of life was demonstrated using the AQoL, botulinum toxin type A was found to be safe and efficacious in reducing upper limb spasticity and improving the ability to achieve personal goals.

Published 22 June 2009 in J Rehabil Med, 41(7): 536-44.
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Articles on Botox published 1 June 2009:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of therapeutic management of upper-limb dysfunction in children with congenital hemiplegia.   Pediatrics, 123(6): e1111-22.

CONTEXT: Rehabilitation for children with congenital hemiplegia to improve function in the impaired upper limb and enhance participation may be time-consuming and costly. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the efficacy of nonsurgical upper-limb therapeutic interventions for children with congenital hemiplegia. METHODS: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine), ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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A single-center, dose-comparison, pilot study of botulinum neurotoxin type A in female patients with upper facial rhytids: safety and efficacy.   J Am Acad Dermatol, 60(6): 972-9.

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Articles on Botox published 20 May 2009:

Botulinum toxin injection for dysphagia: a blinded retrospective videofluoroscopic swallowing study analysis.   Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 88(6): 491-4.

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The recombinant Hc subunit of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotype A is an effective botulism vaccine candidate.   Vaccine, 27(21): 2816-22.

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Articles on Botox published 30 April 2009:

Concomitant repeated intravesical injections of botulinum toxin-type A and laparoscopic antegrade continence enema; a new solution for an old problem.   BJU Int, 103(9): 1248-54.

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Articles on Botox published 22 April 2009:

Clean intermittent self-catheterization after botulinum neurotoxin type A injections: short-term effect on quality of life.   Obstet Gynecol, 113(5): 1046-51.

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Articles on Botox published 13 April 2009:

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