Role of Diagnostic Nerve Blocks in the Goal-Oriented Treatment of Spasticity with Botulinum Toxin Type A: A Case-Control Study

Filippetti M, Tamburin S, Di Censo R, Adamo M, Manera E, Ingrà J, Mantovani E, Facciorusso S, Battaglia M, Baricich A, Santamato A, Smania N, Picelli A.
Role of Diagnostic Nerve Blocks in the Goal-Oriented Treatment of Spasticity with Botulinum Toxin Type A: A Case-Control Study.
Toxins (Basel). 2024 Jun 3;16(6):258. doi: 10.3390/toxins16060258. PMID: 38922151; PMCID: PMC11209555.

 

The goal-setting process is pivotal in managing patients with disabling spasticity. This case-control study assessed the role of diagnostic nerve blocks in guiding the goal-setting process within goal-targeted treatment of spasticity with botulinum neurotoxin-A. In this case-control study, patients with disabling spasticity underwent either a goal-setting process based on the patient's needs and clinical evaluation (control group) or additional diagnostic nerve block procedures (case group). All enrolled patients underwent a focal treatment with botulinum neurotoxin-A injection and a 1-month follow-up evaluation during which goal achievement was quantified using the goal attainment scaling-light score system. Data showed a higher goal achievement rate in the case group (70%) than in the control group (40%). In conclusion, diagnostic nerve blocks may help guide the goal-setting process within goal-targeted treatment of spasticity with botulinum neurotoxin-A towards more realistic and achievable goals, thereby improving the outcomes of botulinum neurotoxin-A injection. Future studies should better explore the role of diagnostic nerve blocks to further personalize botulinum neurotoxin-A according to individual patients' preferences and requirements.