Abstract
Objective: To perform an evidence-based review of the safety and efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in the treatment of adult and childhood spasticity.
Methods: A literature search was performed including MEDLINE and Current Contents for therapeutic articles relevant to BoNT and spasticity. Authors reviewed, abstracted, and classified articles based on American Academy of Neurology criteria (Class I–IV).
Results: The highest quality literature available for the respective indications was as follows: adult spasticity (14 Class I studies); spastic equinus and adductor spasticity in pediatric cerebral palsy (six Class I studies).
Recommendations: Botulinum neurotoxin should be offered as a treatment option for the treatment of spasticity in adults and children (Level A).
RATIONALE FOR RETIREMENT
The 2008 AAN guideline “Botulinum neurotoxin for the treatment of spasticity” has been retired by the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee on February 23, 2018, due to this guideline not having been updated or reaffirmed in five years or less after the previous publication or reaffirmation, per the Board of Directors-approved automatic retirement policy, which mandates that all guidelines that fit this criteria will be will be retired automatically unless an update is identified and initiated. The recommendations and conclusions in all retired guidelines are considered no longer valid and no longer supported by the AAN. Retired guidelines will remain available on our website for reference use only. If you would like more information on this guideline or the guideline process, please email guidelines{at}aan.com.
Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence
- Assessment: Botulinum neurotoxin for the treatment of spasticity (an evidence-based review)
- Assessment: Botulinum neurotoxin for the treatment of spasticity (an evidence-based review)
- Reply from the authors
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