Taping versus electrical stimulation after botulinum toxin type A injection for wrist and finger spasticity. A case-control study

Objective: To compare results from two approaches used in conjunction with botulinum toxin type A administration in rehabilitation: the application of a taping system and the electrical stimulation of the injected muscles and splinting. Design: Case - control study. Setting: Two tertiary care rehabilitation hospitals in Italy. Subjects: Sixty-five adult subjects affected by spasticity of the wrist and finger flexors. Interventions: After injection with botulinum toxin type A, the group at hospital A ( n = 33) was treated with adhesive taping for six days and those at hospital B ( n = 32) with electrical stimulation and splinting for six days. Spastic hypertonia at the injected muscles was assessed before treatment, one week and one month post injection. Main measures: Modified Ashworth Scale. Results: In group A, the mean Modified Ashworth Scale reduction was 2.76 +/- 0.94 for wrist flexors and 2.45 +/- 0.92 for finger flexors; in group B the mean Modified Ashworth Scale reduction was 2.18 +/- 1.11 for wrist flexors and 2.1 +/- 0.98 for finger flexors. The observed difference between the two groups was statistically relevant ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients treated with adhesive taping and botulinum toxin type A achieved a greater reduction in spastic hypertonia as measured with Modified Ashworth Scale, with less time dedicated for the treatment.