The effect of botulinum toxin type A treatment of the lower extremity on the level of functional abilities in children with cerebral palsy: evaluation with goal attainment scaling:

Objective: To measure the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatment in children with cerebral palsy with regard to individual goals concerning functional abilities, using goal attainment scaling.Design: A single-blind randomized multiple baseline/treatment phase design across subjects.Setting: The paediatric department of a rehabilitation centre.Subjects: Eleven children with cerebral palsy participated.Intervention: BTX-A treatment of the lower extremity.Main measures: A six-point goal attainment scaling of three individual treatment goals at the level of functional abilities. Standardized video-tapes of each goal were recorded weekly for a period of 14 weeks. Rating on the predetermined goal attainment scaling was blinded.Results: Nine of the 11 subjects showed significant improvement in 18 out of 33 goals. Seven subjects showed clinically relevant improvement (at least 2 points on the goal attainment scaling) in 11 goals. Testing the difference between all medians of baseline measurements (aft...