Parent Evaluation of Spasticity Treatment in Cerebral Palsy Using Botulinum Toxin Type A

Symons FJ, Rivard PF, Nugent AC, Tervo RC. Parent evaluation of spasticity treatment in cerebral palsy using botulinum toxin type A. Objective: To assess parent ratings of treatment acceptability associated with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Design: A single-point survey design across a sequentially recruited cohort, using a standardized evaluation measure. Setting: Regional specialty health care center medical clinic and pain research program. Participants: Fifty-nine parents of children with CP receiving BTX-A injection for spasticity. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure: The Treatment Evaluation Inventory. Results: Overall, parent ratings of treatment acceptability ranged from moderate to high. There were no significant differences for caregiver ratings in relation to characteristics of the raters (age, sex, marital status) or of the children (age, sex, mental retardation, severity of disability) characteristics. Conclusions: These findings indicate that on average, parents of children with CP consider BTX-A treatment for the management of spasticity to be an acceptable form of treatment.