Incobotulinumtoxin A in the treatment of arm spasticity in patients who had a stroke

This study investigated the effectiveness of Incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin; IBT A) for the treatment of arm muscle spasms after a stroke. Researchers suggested that injections of IBT A improved arm muscles and movement in these patients.

Botulinum neurotoxin (BOTOX) injections are the standard first-line treatment for arm spasticity after a stroke. Muscle spasticity occurs when muscles contract too much and do not relax. That can make daily activities difficult and painful.

Prior studies showed that IBT A, in just one injection, is very effective in treating these conditions, with manageable side effects. Still, patients with arm spasticity often need more than one treatment.

It is known that IBT A improves muscle function in long-term treatments of patients with arm spasticity. However, it is still not clear how this treatment would improve arm spasticity in patients with stroke.

This study included information about 296 patients with arm spasticity after a stroke. The treatment (12-week duration) consisted of a single injection with IBT A or a placebo. Patients could continue into a 36-week treatment to receive 3 further cycles. Each cycle began with a single treatment session followed by 12 weeks of follow-up.

90% of patients improved their condition after 4 weeks. 61% saw improvements after the first cycle and 58.2% after the second cycle. 57.4% of patients who saw improvements after the third cycle were considered much improved.

3% of patients had side effects such as pain (0.7%) and constipation (incapacity to empty the bowel; 0.7%).

This study concluded that long-term therapy with IBT A improves the muscle function in patients who have arm spasticity after a stroke.

The doses of IBT A injections were the same for all patients. Outside clinical trials, doses may vary according to patients needs and tolerance.

If you have concerns about muscle spasticity, discuss this with your doctor.