Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of intramuscular Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection on spasticity of lower limb, walking and activities of daily living (ADL) after stroke. Methods13 patients with spasticity on lower limb were injected intramuscularly with BTX-A, and assessed with Composite Spasticity Scale (CSS), step length and gait velocity, and Barthel index (BI) before and 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. ResultsThe scores of CSS and BI significantly improved after treatment (P<0.05). There was some improvement in step length and gait velocity, but not significant (P>0.05). All the improvement appeared 1 week after injection and lasted to the 12th week. ConclusionLocal intramuscular BTX-A injection can reduce the spasticity on lower limb and improve ADL.

Key words: stroke, spasticity, lower limb, Botulinum toxin type A, walking, activities of daily living