Effectiveness of early abobotulinum toxin (Dysport<sup>®</sup>) injections in patients with upper limb spastic paresis after traumatic brain injury in real clinical practice: results of a multicenter observational non-interventional prospective study (Adults with post Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) upper limb (UL) spasticity – APTULS)

Abstract

The article reveals results of the first russian prospective observational study, aimed at evaluating of the clinical results early using injections of abobotulinumtoxinA (Abo-BTA, Dysport®) in patients with upper limb spasticity (ULS), which is one of disabling consequence traumatic's brain injuries (TBI). Currently, botulinum therapy is an integral part of the complex treatment of patients with chronic spasticity, has a high level of evidence (level IA), is included in clinical recommendations, national guidelines in a lot of countries around the world countries. The article analyzes results of studies conducted in the world in recent years, which confirm the effectiveness of Abo-BTA injections in the treatment of spasticity, which developing in early period after acute brain injury. Presented data of their own observations are allowed to authors conclude, that using of Abo-BTA injections in the complex rehabilitation of patients with ULS in the early recovery period of TBI demonstrates its good tolerability and a high safety profile, contributes to improving the effectiveness of treatment by reducing muscle tone and spasticity, increasing the volume of movements in joints. Therefore, Abo-BTA injections can be considered as a necessary addition to standard early rehabilitation programs. However, it is necessary to conduct further large-scale studies to more accurately determine the timing of the start of botulinum therapy, the doses of Abo-BTA, the most effective combinations of rehabilitation methods in the creating of individual programs.