Comparison of Baclofen and Tizanidine in Reducing Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Cerebral palsy is the most common chronic motor disability that begins in childhood with the predominant motor abnormality that is spasticity. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the efficacy of oral baclofen and oral tizanidine in reducing spasticity in cerebral palsy patients. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from January 2010 to December 2011 and it was carried out in the Out Patient Department (OPD) of Pediatrics at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), Dhaka, Bangladesh and Center for Neurodevelopment and Autism in Children (CNAC) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Results: A total number of 70 cerebral palsy children were recruited for this study of which 35 patients were in Tizanidine group and 35 patients were in baclofen group. Furthermore, 70 cerebral palsy children were taken as control who were treated with placebo. Tizanidine had superior efficacy in reducing tone in spastic cerebral palsy over baclofen measured by using Modified Ashworth scale in different time periods from AS score-3 to score-2 (p physician rating scale from AS score-3 to score-2 (crouch p Adverse effect was more in baclofen group. Conclusion: For reducing generalized spasticity with regards to muscle tone, joint angle and improvement in gait in cerebral palsy patients, tizanidine has superior efficacy and less adverse effects than baclofen.