Skip to main content
Log in

Botulinum toxin treatment for functional disability induced by essential tremor

  • Original
  • Published:
Neurological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aimed to improve botulinum toxin's (BTX) efficacy and to reduce its unwanted effects in the treatment of functional disability due to essential tremor (ET) of the hand. Twenty patients with disabling ET, not responding to conventional pharmacological therapy, were enrolled in this open-label study. Activities of daily living self-questionnaire (ADLS) and severity tremor scale (STS) were used to establish patients' functional disability and tremor severity. Accelerometry and surface electromyography were used to identify the arm muscles with tremorogenic activity during impaired positions. Global rating was used to measure treatment efficacy and unwanted effects. BTX type A was injected into the muscles principally responsible for impaired positions. After BTX treatment, there was a significant reduction in both severity and functional rating scales scores (ADLS and STS) and of tremor amplitude as measured with accelerometry and EMG. Adverse effects were limited to a slight third finger extension weakness in 15% of patients. BTX injections are effective and safe reducing disability due to ET, if based on the criterion of functional selection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 18 September 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 18 January 2001

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pacchetti, C., Mancini, F., Bulgheroni, M. et al. Botulinum toxin treatment for functional disability induced by essential tremor. Neurol Sci 21, 349–353 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100720070049

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100720070049

Navigation