Botulinum toxin A injection in the management of shoulder muscle overactivity: A scoping review. Issue 1 (1st March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baguley, Ian James; Barden, Hannah Louise Holman; Jesulola, Emmanuel; Nott, Melissa Therese
• Is Part Of: Brain impairment. Volume 21:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2020-03-01
• Subjects: Brain Diseases -- Congresses; Brain Diseases -- Periodicals; Brain -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1017/BrImp.2019.14
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1443-9646

Abstract

Abstract: The majority of studies examining botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in the management of upper limb muscle overactivity and pain focus on the distal arm and hand. Research has begun to look at BTX-A efficacy in more proximal upper limb muscles, with literature showing equivocal findings. This scoping review identified 15 studies meeting inclusion criteria whose data were examined against three outcome variables: muscle overactivity, range of movement and pain. Overall, while the majority of injected participants improved on these variables, between-study methodological variability such as research design potentially underpowered studies and arbitrary decision making gave a high likelihood of influencing the interpretation of their results. Future research is warranted, with a robust focus on functional anatomy, a critical appraisal of how BTX-A may help the individual being studied and utilising individualised rather than protocol-driven research paradigms.