Comparison of the effect of baclofen and transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Author(s): Shaygannejad V(1), Janghorbani M, Vaezi A, Haghighi S, Golabchi K, Heshmatipour
M.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Department of Neurology, Medical School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,
Isfahan, Iran.
Publication date & source: 2013, Neurol Res. , 35(6):636-41
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of baclofen
and self-applied transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the
treatment of spasticity in the lower extremities in multiple sclerosis (MS).
METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from September 2010
to June 2011. Fifty-two patients with MS presenting muscle spasm in the leg at
20-50 years of age were randomly allocated to receive a four-week treatment
course of either baclofen (10 mg twice daily, increasing over three weeks to 25
mg) or self-applied TENS. Response to treatment was assessed at four weeks after
commencement of the intervention by modified Ashworth scale (MAS).
RESULTS: Spasticity decreased in both groups. Of the 26 people treated with TENS,
the mean (standard deviation (SD)) MAS decreased from 1.77 (0.29) at baseline to
0.73 (0.70) at the four-week follow-up (P < 0.001). Correspondingly, in the 26
people treated with baclofen, the mean (SD) MAS decreased from 1.73 (0.38) to
1.15 (0.63) (P < 0.001). The mean difference in MAS score at the four-week
follow-up was significantly lower in the TENS group than the baclofen group (mean
difference -0.42; 95% CI, -0.79, -0.05; P < 0.05).
DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that both baclofen and TENS can be effective
in reducing MS-related spasticity. The mean MAS score was significantly lower in
the TENS group. However given the side-effect profile of baclofen, TENS may have
some benefits over baclofen.
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