Objective
To analyze the effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen in the treatment of spasticity of different aetiologies in the upper limbs, lower limbs, and both children and adults.
Design
Meta-analysis.
Subjects/Patients
People with spasticity of different aetiologies in treatment with intrathecal baclofen.
Methods
A systematic search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases with the earliest data available up to November 1, 2022. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled mean difference estimates and their respective 95% CIs to assess the effectiveness of intrathecal baclofen treatment on spasticity of different aetiologies using the modified Ashworth scale. All statistical analyses were performed with STATA 15 software.
Results
Finally, 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The effect of baclofen treatment administered by an intrathecal pump on spasticity measured by the modified Ashworth scale led to a significant decrease in spasticity in both adults (MD: −1.54; 95% CI: −1.80, −1.27) and children (MD: −0.70; 95% CI: −0.91, −0.49), with greater effectiveness for lower limb spasticity (MD: −1.45; 95% CI: −1.93, −0.97). The results should be interpreted with caution since there is heterogeneity due to differences between populations (age or types of diseases).
Conclusion
These findings are important for clinical practice, as they demonstrate the efficacy of intrathecal baclofen in treatment of spasticity, thus improving patient quality of life, being more effective at a younger age and longer duration of treatment, always taking into account statistical limitations.
