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Related Concept Videos

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification01:29

Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification

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Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also...
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Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

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Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
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Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
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Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

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Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx...
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Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison01:09

Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison

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Skeletal muscle relaxants can target the central nervous system [CNS] to reduce muscle tension or act directly at the neuromuscular junction to induce temporary paralysis. These two classes of muscle relaxants are called centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They differ in their action, mechanism, administration route, and clinical uses.
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic...
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Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin01:26

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

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Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...
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Redefining Spasticity: The Spasticity X Working Group Consensus Statement.

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Is Spasticity a Syndrome? A Historical Perspective on Spasticity Definitions and Descriptions.

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Do Physical Modalities Have a Role in Spasticity Management?

Alessandro Picelli1, Rita Di Censo1, Nicola Smania1

  • 1Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Piazzale Ludovico Antonio Scuro 10, Verona 37134, Italy.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America
|April 30, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Physical modalities like shock wave therapy and electrotherapy can help manage spasticity by targeting neural and muscle components. These therapies enhance outcomes when combined with treatments like botulinum toxin injections.

Keywords:
Muscle spasticityPhysical therapy modalitiesRehabilitationTherapeutics

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Area of Science:

  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • Neuroscience
  • Biomedical engineering

Background:

  • Spasticity is a common motor disorder affecting neurological function.
  • Multidisciplinary management is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
  • Physical modalities offer potential adjunctive therapies for spasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of physical modalities in spasticity management.
  • To explore the mechanisms and efficacy of various physical therapies.
  • To assess the integration of physical modalities with pharmacologic and rehabilitative strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of existing literature.
  • Analysis of physiologic mechanisms of physical modalities.
  • Evaluation of clinical evidence for efficacy.
  • Discussion of integration with other treatments.

Main Results:

  • Physical modalities modulate neuronal excitability and muscle rheology.
  • Interventions include shock wave therapy, electrotherapy, heating, and vibration.
  • Synergistic effects observed with antispastic agents like botulinum toxin type A.
  • These therapies offer adjunctive mechanisms to optimize outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Physical modalities are valuable in the multidisciplinary management of spasticity.
  • Targeting both neural and nonneural components enhances therapeutic potential.
  • Integration with pharmacologic treatments can significantly improve spasticity control.