Effect of low dose levodopa on motor outcome of different types of stroke

This case control study interventional study was carried out in Neurology out patient department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from January 2004 to June 2005. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of low dose levodopa on motor outcome of patients with stroke both ischaemic and haemorrhagic. A total of 97 patients of stroke confirmed by computerized tomography (CT) scan of brain were included in the study. Of them 51 were treated with levodopa 125mg (L group) and physiotherapy while 46 patients (NL group) were treated only with physiotherapy without levodopa. The patients were followed up every 2 weeks interval for 8 weeks. Motor outcome was measured in Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI). Comparison was made between L & NL group irrespective of stroke types at the end of 4th visit. Also the effect of levodopa was assessed separately in ischaemic & haemorrhaegic stroke. The results of the study showed that the age of stroke patients was 54.70±15.07 years in L group & 58.10±14.69 years in NL group. Ischaemic stroke patients were 72% and haemorrhagic stroke patients were 28%. The mean increase RMI score in L group irrespective of stroke subtypes was 6.9 while in NL group was 3.0. The increase in motor outcome was significantly higher in levodopa group than non-levodopa group (p<0.001). Similarly motor outcome measured in RMI score were significantly better individually in ischaemic & haemorrhagic stroke patients of L group than NL (p<0.001). So, the study result concludes that low dose levodopa improves motor outcome in patient with stroke both ischaemic and haemorrhagic.