The Impact of Botulinum Toxin Combined with Robot-Assisted Gait Training on Spasticity and Gross Motor Function on Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of combining botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injection with robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on lower limb spasticity and motor function in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from January 2020 to January 2023, including 68 patients. Twenty patients received the combination of BoNT-A injection and RAGT, while 48 received BoNT-A injection alone. Assessments were performed before the intervention and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection using the Modified Tardieu Scale (MTS), sections D and E of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). RESULTS: < .05). CONCLUSION: While the addition of RAGT did not enhance the anti-spasticity effects of BoNT-A, it significantly improved gross motor function and walking abilities in children with cerebral palsy.