Mohammad Yazdchi; Zahra Ghasemi; Hanieh Moshayedi; Reza Rikhtegar; Somayeh Mostafayi; Hale Mikailee; Safa Najmi
Volume 12, Issue 2 , June 2013, , Pages 47-50
Abstract
Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of focal intramuscular injection of botulinum (BoNT) toxin type A in comparison with oral tizanidine (TZD) in treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity.Methods: This was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial that recruited 68 patients with post-stroke ...
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Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of focal intramuscular injection of botulinum (BoNT) toxin type A in comparison with oral tizanidine (TZD) in treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity.Methods: This was a double-blinded randomized clinical trial that recruited 68 patients with post-stroke upper limb spasticity. Thirty-four patients received BoNT (Dysport(®)) injections in affected muscles of upper limb at the baseline and week 12. Thirty-four patients were treated with tizanidine (Sirdalude) by gradual increase in dosage of 2mg/week to reach maximum 24mg at week 12. Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were evaluated at the baseline, week 12 and week 24 for all the participants.Results: The mean score of MAS reduced from 3.32 and 3.13 at baseline to 1.79 and 1.56 at week 24 on elbow and wrist joints, respectively (P < 0.01). However, there were only reductions from 2.79 and 2.77 to 2.32 and 2.31 (P < 0.001) in TZD group. ARAT increased from 1.79 to 10.97 (P < 0.001) in BoNT group. ARAT increased from 11.08 to 11.35 in TZD group (P = 0.026).Conclusion: BoNT injection was safe and effective in reducing post-stroke upper extremity spasticity in comparison with TZD.
Mazyar Hashemilar; Mehdi Farhoudi; Samane Hosseini; Hanieh Moshayedi; Dariush Savadi Oskoui; Behzad Eskandar Oghli; Reza Rikhtegar
Volume 10, 1-2 , June 2011, , Pages 16-8
Abstract
Background: In patients with acute stroke and middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis, microembolic signals (MES) can predict further cerebral ischemia. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of MES by transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with MCA stenosis under treatment of aspirin ...
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Background: In patients with acute stroke and middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis, microembolic signals (MES) can predict further cerebral ischemia. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of MES by transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with MCA stenosis under treatment of aspirin or clopidogrel.Methods: A randomized clinical trial was performed on 40 patients with acute ischemic stroke in MCA territory. They were randomly allocated in two groups that treated with aspirin (80 mg daily) or clopidogrel (75 mg daily). Clinical and diagnostic work up was included evaluation of cerebrovascular risk factors, echocardiography, carotid color Doppler and brain imaging. TCD was performed between day 3 and 7 after symptoms onset to detect MES. All high intensity transient signals (HITS) were saved and analyzed offline.Results: Carotid stenosis was found in 13 (65%) patients of aspirin group and 12 (60%) of clopidogrel group. Four (30.8%) of aspirin group and 5 (41.7) of clopidogrel group had stenosis between 10%-50%. One patient in each group had more than 50% stenosis and the remainder had less than 10%. There was no significant difference between two groups. MES was detected in 6 (30%) of patients treated with aspirin and 4 (20%) of those treated with clopidogrel. It showed no statistically significant differences (P-value=0.46).Conclusion: Our results indicate a similar effect of aspirin and clopidogrel on frequency of MES in patients with MCA territory ischemic stroke.