Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Injections in the Rectus Femoris to Treat Stiff Knee Gait Following Acquired Brain Injury
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2011-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Stiff knee gait is a common gait dysfunction following acquired brain injury. This gait
deviation is characterized by reduced knee flexion during swing phase of the gait cycle and
adversely impacts safe foot clearance. Stiff knee gait is an inefficient gait pattern and
slows walking speed, limiting one's ability to adapt walking to community mobility demands.
Fall risk is increased with this gait problem due to low or ineffective foot clearance.
Common compensatory strategies are employed, such as circumduction, hip hiking or vaulting,
during ambulation.
The purpose of this study is to examine both the immediate (one month post-injection) and
longer-term (4 months post-injection) effects of botulinum toxin injections to the rectus
femoris (RF) on gait function in persons with brain injury. This study is clinically
important to help inform rehabilitation professionals regarding treatment decisions for
management of inefficient and often unsafe stiff knee gait problems following brain injury.
Research Questions:
- Is there a statistically significant difference in mean peak knee flexion between the
experimental and control group?
- Is there a statistically significant difference in mean peak knee velocity during the
preswing and initial swing phases of gait between the experimental and control group?
- Is there a statistically significant difference in gait function (based on 6-Minute Walk
time and temporal distance measures) between the experimental and control group?
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Collaborator:
Allergan
Treatments:
abobotulinumtoxinA Botulinum Toxins Botulinum Toxins, Type A incobotulinumtoxinA onabotulinumtoxinA