Use of surface EMG for evaluation of upper limb spasticity during botulinum toxin therapy in stroke patients

The clinical assessment of spasticity in stroke patients generally includes descriptive scales, such as the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and the Global Pain Scale (GPS), however these may not be sufficiently sensitive to accurately detect improvements, especially at upper limb level; electromyography (EMG) may be the answer to this clinical requirement. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX) in treating upper extremity spasticity in stroke patients, using clinical evaluation (MAS and GPS) and EMG. Ten patients were assessed before, 30 days and 180 days after BTX injection using clinical evaluations and EMG. At 30 days all clinical measures improved significantly. Whereas MAS scores, after recording an improvement at the first evaluation session, were worse at the second assessment, GPS scores improved over time, both at the first and at the second evaluation session. A reduction of EMG activity was found 30 days after injections, in particular at baseline and during passive flexion movement. Our results demonstrated that measurement of EMG activity may be an effective means of detecting functional improvements and of monitoring the effects of treatment in post-stroke patients.