Comparison of the Effect of Baclofen and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis Publisher Pubmed



Shaygannejad V¹ ; Janghorbani M² ; Vaezi A¹ ; Haghighi S¹ ; Golabchi K¹ ; Heshmatipour M³
Source: Neurological Research Published:2013

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of baclofen and self-applied transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the treatment of spasticity in the lower extremities in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from September 2010 to June 2011. Fiftytwo patients with MS presenting muscle spasm in the leg at 20-50 years of age were randomly allocated to receive a four-week treatment course of either baclofen (10 mg twice daily, increasing over three weeks to 25 mg) or self-applied TENS. Response to treatment was assessed at four weeks after commencement of the intervention by modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Results: Spasticity decreased in both groups. Of the 26 people treated with TENS, the mean (standard deviation (SD)) MAS decreased from 1.77 (0.29) at baseline to 0.73 (0.70) at the four-week follow-up (P, 0.001). Correspondingly, in the 26 people treated with baclofen, the mean (SD) MAS decreased from 1.73 (0.38) to 1.15 (0.63) (P, 0.001). The mean difference in MAS score at the four-week follow-up was significantly lower in the TENS group than the baclofen group (mean difference 20.42; 95% CI, 20.79, 20.05; P, 0.05). Discussion: This study demonstrates that both baclofen and TENS can be effective in reducing MS-related spasticity. The mean MAS score was significantly lower in the TENS group. However given the side-effect profile of baclofen, TENS may have some benefits over baclofen. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2013.