



Title
Comparative study of the mechanism of action of Dry Needling and Botulinum Toxin type A as a treatment for lower limb post-stroke spasticity: a proof of concept controlled trial
Comparative study of the mechanism of action of Dry Needling and Botulinum Toxin type A as a treatment for post-stroke spasticity of the lower limbs: controlled proof of concept trial.
Description
Stroke is a leading cause of disease, disability, and economic loss. As populations grow and people live longer, cases of stroke are likely to increase. Stroke affects the central nervous system and interferes with mobility and walking.
One consequence of stroke is muscle spasticity (stiffness) that affects half of stroke victims within six months, causing discomfort and hindering recovery. One of the most effective treatments for spasticity is the injection of Botulinum Toxin type A (BTX-A), which is considered 'invasive' and has been linked to several side effects.
'Dry needling' (DN) is a relatively new treatment for spasticity with comparable effectiveness as BTX-A. DN is minimally invasive and has fewer side effects. However, it is not usually applied in current clinical practice. While studies have reported the effects of these two techniques on muscle and mobility, the effects on the whole system have not been systematically studied.
Objectives and Results
We hypothesize that DN and BTX-A will have similar effects on decreasing spasticity, but DN will have fewer side effects and will be more acceptable to patients and their families. We will study this by examining the effects of each treatment on ankle muscles in two groups of subjects. One group will receive a series of 12 DN sessions and the other will have one BTX-A injection. We will evaluate effects on spasticity at different levels – muscle structure, reflex activity, motor ability, quality of life, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness. We will use novel methods to help clinicians, patients, and families make more informed spasticity treatment choices.
IP IIS Aragon
Dr. Pablo Herrero
Financing Agency
Financial subsidy awarded within the AES-2022 International Collaboration Project Call and linked to the ERA Net Neuron International Joint Action.
Financed by the Carlos III Health Institute from the European funds of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, with file code AC22/00016, by virtue of Resolution of the Management of the Carlos III Health Institute, OA, MP DE 15 December 2022, which grants subsidies for international collaboration projects of the 2022 call of the Strategic Action in Health 2021-2023, charged to the European funds of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and “Financed by the Union European – Next-Generation EU.
Total Project Budget: €755.249
ISCIII financing: €239.882,5
Coordinator
Aragón Health Research Institute Foundation (IIS Aragón), Spain
Be a partner
- McGill University (MGU), Montreal (Canada)
- University of Antwerp (ANT), Antwerp (Belgium).
Duration
01/01/2023 – 31/12/2025 (36 months)
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