Document Detail


Neurophysiological basis and clinical applications of the H-reflex as an adjunct for evaluating response to intrathecal baclofen for spasticity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17691382     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Implanted programmable pumps that infuse intrathecal baclofen (ITB) markedly enhance the ability of clinicians to manage severe spasticity in appropriately selected patients. Studies addressing the efficacy of this treatment modality have primarily used clinical outcome measures of impairment, particularly reduction in stiffness as measured by the Ashworth scale. Several recent studies, however, highlight comparalively higher sensitivity of neurophysiologic techniques, especially the H-reflex, as an objective index of spinal cord response to ITB administration. We review the conceptual, physiological, and methodological hases for use of the H-reflex as an adjunct to clinical evaluation among patients receiving ITB infusion, including published reports and selected case studies that address the potential advantages and limitations of such techniques when applied to dose titration and system "troubleshooting" scenarios, We also address the implications of such findings in the context of reported complications such as "tolerance" to ITB administration and catheter "microfracture". The accumulated knowledge suggests that H-reflex is a sensitive method for documenting altered spinal cord responsiveness in the presence of ITB delivery. We therefore recommend using H-reflex as an adjunct to clinical evaluation when judging the overall effectiveness of ITB administration.
Authors:
D S Stokic; S A Yablon
Publication Detail:
Type:  Evaluation Studies; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement     Volume:  97     ISSN:  0065-1419     ISO Abbreviation:  Acta Neurochir. Suppl.     Publication Date:  2007  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-08-13     Completed Date:  2007-09-26     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  100962752     Medline TA:  Acta Neurochir Suppl     Country:  Austria    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  231-41     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Jackson, MS, USA. dstokic@mmrcrehab.org
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Baclofen / therapeutic use*
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Delivery Systems
H-Reflex / drug effects*
Humans
Muscle Relaxants, Central / therapeutic use*
Muscle Spasticity / drug therapy*,  physiopathology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Muscle Relaxants, Central; 1134-47-0/Baclofen

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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