Botulinum toxin injections do not improve freezing of gait in Parkinson disease

Neurology. 2005 Aug 23;65(4):626-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000172930.63669.c8.

Abstract

Freezing of gait (FOG) is common in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and responds poorly to medical treatment. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections into calf muscles decreased FOG in previous open-label studies. The authors conducted a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of BTX-A vs placebo in 12 subjects with PD and FOG. No significant improvement with BTX-A was found using subjective and objective measures.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / administration & dosage*
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A / adverse effects
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / drug therapy*
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology
  • Gait Disorders, Neurologic / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Placebos
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A