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Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy: An Update
Author(s) -
Francisco Gerard E.,
Saulino Michael F.,
Yablon Stuart A.,
Turner Michael
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pmandr
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.617
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1934-1563
pISSN - 1934-1482
DOI - 10.1016/j.pmrj.2009.07.015
Subject(s) - medicine , baclofen , intrathecal , hypertonia , spasticity , intervention (counseling) , clinical trial , intensive care medicine , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anesthesia , pathology , psychiatry , receptor , agonist
Intrathecal administration of baclofen is a well‐established technique for modulating hypertonia secondary to upper motor neuron pathology. Despite the nearly 2 decades of widespread clinical use, this intervention presents many challenges to even experienced clinicians. The purpose of this clinical review is to describe some of the intricacies and subtleties of this treatment strategy. This narrative provides an overview of 3 topics: (1) an alternative methodology for intrathecal baclofen trials; (2) an algorithmic approach to troubleshooting intrathecal delivery systems; and (3) the utility of neurophysiologic assessments within various phases of intrathecal baclofen therapy.