The effect of Dantrium on spasticity in spinal cord injuries

The effect of a new, peripherally acting muscle relaxant drug (Dantrium) on spasticity was tested on 6 patients with spinal cord injuries. The effect was evaluated both by regular clinical examination and with an electromyographic technique. The latter concerned a quantitative analysis of the patients' ability to voluntarily control fine neuromuscular activity both with and without the drug. The results indicated that the spasticity was initially markedly reduced in all patients; in one case so markedly that the stability of the trunk was lost. Electromyographically it was found that the ability of the patients to relax the muscles was increased with Dantrium.