Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review

Introduction: Botulinum toxin neurolysis is a common pharmacological intervention used to alleviate the consequences of spasticity. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of patients w...

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Main Authors: Małgorzata Gucwa, Beata Bednarz-Tomczyk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Univeristy of Physical Education in Krakow 2025-07-01
Series:Rehabilitacja Medyczna
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rehmed.pl/gicid/01.3001.0055.2082
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author Małgorzata Gucwa
Beata Bednarz-Tomczyk
author_facet Małgorzata Gucwa
Beata Bednarz-Tomczyk
author_sort Małgorzata Gucwa
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Botulinum toxin neurolysis is a common pharmacological intervention used to alleviate the consequences of spasticity. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of patients with upper limb spasticity following stroke.Material and methods: Electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, taking the literature from 2015-2025 into account. The keywords used were: stroke, BoNT-A, spasticity and upper limb. Available publications were searched according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, ultimately analysing four articles.Results: In the analysed studies, the obtained results differed according to treatment protocol. The measurement of upper limb motor functions using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale showed improvement in each of the studied groups.Conclusions: The use of BoNT-A in the treatment of patients with upper limb spasticity after stroke has a beneficial effect on improving limb function and reducing spasticity. Further studies and analyses are needed to assess the actual contribution of BoNT-A to improving upper limb function following stroke.
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spelling doaj-art-c511e0cdd0e141b5a82c24ba2d7b64692025-08-20T03:44:01ZengUniveristy of Physical Education in KrakowRehabilitacja Medyczna1427-96221896-32502025-07-01291424710.5604/01.3001.0055.208201.3001.0055.2082Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic ReviewMałgorzata Gucwa0Beata Bednarz-Tomczyk1Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, University of Rzeszów, Poland / Donum Corde Rehabilitation and Medical Care Center , Budy Głogowskie, PolandDonum Corde Rehabilitation and Medical Care Center , Budy Głogowskie, PolandIntroduction: Botulinum toxin neurolysis is a common pharmacological intervention used to alleviate the consequences of spasticity. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to assess the efficacy of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of patients with upper limb spasticity following stroke.Material and methods: Electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, taking the literature from 2015-2025 into account. The keywords used were: stroke, BoNT-A, spasticity and upper limb. Available publications were searched according to the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, ultimately analysing four articles.Results: In the analysed studies, the obtained results differed according to treatment protocol. The measurement of upper limb motor functions using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale showed improvement in each of the studied groups.Conclusions: The use of BoNT-A in the treatment of patients with upper limb spasticity after stroke has a beneficial effect on improving limb function and reducing spasticity. Further studies and analyses are needed to assess the actual contribution of BoNT-A to improving upper limb function following stroke.http://rehmed.pl/gicid/01.3001.0055.2082strokeBoNT-Aspasticityupper limb
spellingShingle Małgorzata Gucwa
Beata Bednarz-Tomczyk
Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review
Rehabilitacja Medyczna
stroke
BoNT-A
spasticity
upper limb
title Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review
title_full Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review
title_fullStr Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review
title_short Use of Botulinum Toxin in the Treatment of Patients with Upper Limb Spasticity After Stroke – a Systematic Review
title_sort use of botulinum toxin in the treatment of patients with upper limb spasticity after stroke a systematic review
topic stroke
BoNT-A
spasticity
upper limb
url http://rehmed.pl/gicid/01.3001.0055.2082
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