Practice Patterns of Physicians Using Adjunct Therapies with Botulinum Toxin Injection for Spasticity: A Canadian Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Survey

• Published in: PM & R 2021-04, Vol.13 (4), p.372-378
• Main Authors: Ip, Alvin H., Phadke, Chetan P., Boulias, Chris, Ismail, Farooq, Mills, Patricia B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1934-1482; 1934-1563
• DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12442

Background Adjunct therapies are nonpharmacological treatments used with botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection that may improve spasticity outcomes. It has been suggested that physicians consider adjunct therapies as a part of comprehensive spasticity management. It is unclear which adjunct therapies are used by physicians in clinical practice. Objective To determine physician practice patterns and perceptions of use of adjunct therapies following BoNT injection for limb spasticity. Design Cross‐sectional national survey of current clinical practice using a 22‐item questionnaire developed by the authors. Setting Not applicable. Participants Survey respondents were physicians actively administering BoNT injections for limb spasticity management across Canada (N = 48). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Types of adjunct therapies used by physicians; physician opinions on barriers to adjunct therapy use, patient preferences, and future research priorities. Results Most physicians prescribe home stretching programs, home active exercise programs, and splinting; however, many physicians perceive that these same adjunct therapies are unwanted by patients. A minority of physicians prescribe electrical stimulation (ES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), casting, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy; financial limitations and perceived lack of evidence were identified as barriers to their use. Significantly more physicians practicing in academic settings compared with nonacademic, community, and private practice settings used functional ES (59% vs 11%) and TENS (41% vs 0%) as adjunct therapies (P