This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of single event multi level chemoneurolysis with the abobotulinumtoxin A drug, Dysport®, on walking energy expenditure and gait in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the leading cause of disability in children, with the most widespread type of CP being spastic CP which negatively affects physical function. Specifically it is reported that there is an increase in energy expenditure and oxygen consumption in children with CP. Single event multi level chemoneurolysis with abobotulinumtoxinA has been found to be an effective treatment for patients with spasticity to reduce energy expenditure by increasing walking efficiency; however many of these studies have conflicting methodological approaches. Therefore this study aims to evaluate the single event multilevel chemoneurolysis with Dysport® on energy expenditure and gait in children with spastic diplegia CP.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Selected dose of medication will be determined by affected muscle(s), severity of spasticity, and the patient's body weight. We will follow the recommended total Dysport dose of 10-15 units/kg per limb, not to exceed 15 units/kg for unilateral lower limb, 30 units/kg for bilateral lower limb, or a total of 1000 units, whichever is lower in a given session.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
New York, New York, United States
Oxygen Consumption (ml/kg/Min)
Energy expenditure (oxygen consumption (VO2)) will be measured during the 6 minute walk test using a portable metabolic cart. The participants will use a 10 meter walkway to walk back and forth during the 6 minutes to coverage as much distance as possible. During this time they will be wearing a portable spirometric device that collects the oxygen consumption (VO2) per minute.
Time frame: Baseline (1 week prior to injection), 4 weeks post injection, 12 weeks post injection
Gait Velocity (cm/s)
Gait analysis will be measured by the GaitMat system while the child walks on the mat back and forth for five trials.
Time frame: Baseline (1 week prior to injection), 4 weeks post injection, 12 weeks post injection
Muscle Spasticity Using MAS
The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) measures muscle spasticity during passive stretching. Scores are on a 6-point scale and include 0, 1, 1+, 2, 3, and 4. Scores range from 0 (better outcome), which indicates no increase in muscle tone/muscle spasticity to a score of 4 (worse outcome), which indicates a rigid muscle or maximum spasticity. Each subscale is independently scored and not combined to create a composite score. When calculating the mean score, 1+ is equivalent to a value of 1.5.
Time frame: Baseline (1 week prior to injection), 4 weeks post injection, 12 weeks post injection
Muscle Spasticity Using MTS
The Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS) measures muscle spasticity during a passive stretch at both slow and fast speeds. Scores range from 0, which indicates no resistance throughout the course of the passive movement (better outcome), to 5, which indicates that the joint is immovable (worse outcome). The first measure determines the maximum range of motion of a target muscle group in degrees and the second measure determines the angle where muscle resistance is felt during a rapid velocity stretch, recorded in degrees. The total score is calculated by subtracting measure one from measure two. A greater difference between measures indicates less muscle spasticity. The Modified Tardieu Scale will be performed in the hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles.
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Time frame: Baseline (1 week prior to injection), 4 weeks post injection, 12 weeks post injection
Score on the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life (CP QOL) Questionnaire
The Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life (CP QOL) Questionnaire consists of 66 items ranging from 1 to 9 with a lower score indicating a higher quality of life. The total score will be calculated as well as an individual score for the seven subscale domains: Social well-being and acceptance, functioning, Participation and physical health, Emotional well-being, Access to services, pain and feeling about disability, and family health. Scoring involves 2 steps. First, items are transformed to a scale with a possible range of 0-100. The scores are recoded as follows 1 to 0, 2 to 12.5, 3 to 25, 4 to 37.5, 5 to 50, 6 to 6.2, 7 to 75, 8 to 87.5, 9 to 100. Then the algebraic mean of item values is computed from the composite score for each domain. Once rescored, the final score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 indicating a worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline (1 week prior to injection), 4 weeks post injection, 12 weeks post injection