Influence of treatment with botulinum toxine after stroke to control posture

To investigate modification of postural control after treatment with botulinum toxine in leg muscles of stroke patients. We performed a retrospective study of stroke patients who benefitted from injection of botulinum toxine in leg muscles between June 2003 and October 2004. The assessment before and after the injection relied on clinical examination and on posturographic recording on 2 force plates with the patient standing, with eyes open performing or not a double task consisting of an arithmetic test and with eyes closed. We also compared patients to healthy subjects. Eight patients were included in the study. Botulinum toxine injection in the leg muscles significantly decreased the triceps spasticity, with no change in clinical assessment of balance control (Fugl-Meyer scale). The posturographic data show a decrease in the area of centre of pressure displacement in the double-task situation after the injection. Thanks to the posturographic recording in the double-task situation, we showed a modification of postural control after treatment with botulinum toxine in leg muscles of stroke patients.