Effect of upper limb botulinum toxin injections on impairment, activity, participation, and quality of life among stroke patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to study the effect of Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections in spastic upper limb muscles on impairment, activity, participation and quality of life in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: BoNT-A (Dysport) was injected into several upper limb spastic muscles in a group of 20 patients. Neurological impairment (muscle tone and strength, dexterity, SIAS), activity (ABILHAND), participation (SATIS-Stroke), and quality of life (SF36) were assessed before and 2 months after the injections.

Results: BoNT-A injections improved muscle tone, but had no impact on dexterity, manual ability, social participation, and quality of life.

Conclusions: In this study, BoNT-A injections in spastic upper limbs significantly reduced neurological impairments, but had no functional impact.