Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Breathing-controlled Electrical Stimulation BreEStim for Management of Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity
Published on: January 10, 2013
Inherited Ataxia and Intrathecal Baclofen for the Treatment of Spasticity and Painful Spasms
Shala G Berntsson1, Helena Gauffin2, Atle Melberg3
1Department of Neuroscience, Neurology, Uppsala University, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden, shala.berntsson@neuro.uu.se.
Background:
Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is considered a powerful tool in the management of severe spasticity in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and traumatic spinal cord and brain injury.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the ITB in patients with inherited ataxia suffering from severe painful spasms and/or spasticity.
Method:
A total of 5 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia 3 or 7 or Friedreich's ataxia were included in this observational multicenter study. The patients were interviewed and completed outcome measures assessing pain (The Brief Pain Inventory), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale), and life satisfaction (LiSAT-9) before and 1 year after the treatment. Spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale) and spasm frequency (SPFS) were measured objectively for each patient.
Results:
The mean treatment time was 1.9 years. Evaluation of established standard forms revealed symptomatic relief from spasticity, spasms, pain, and fatigue in addition to improved body posture, sleep, and life satisfaction after ITB treatment.
Conclusions:
We report the potential beneficial effects of ITB treatment in patients with inherited ataxia who also suffer from spasticity/spasms. ITB treatment indication in neurological disorders allows for extension to the treatment of spasticity/ spasms in patients with hereditary ataxia.
Related Concept Videos
Vascular Spasm
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...
Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
Non-nuclear Inheritance
Inheritance
Each gene exists in pairs, and the combination of these genes from both parents forms an individual's genotype. This genotype is a blueprint of potential traits. Examples of genotype...

