The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given medical device company Flowonix approval to market the Prometra II Programmable Pump System for use with intrathecal baclofen to treat severe spasticity in diseases, including cerebral palsy (CP). The device was introduced to the U.S. market…

Among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Sweden, differences in treatment are evident based on sex and place of birth, a new study shows. While some of these differences may have underlying biological causes — such as differing rates of scoliosis in the sexes leading to discrepancies in the use…

The U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Dysport (abobotulinumtoxin A) for the treatment of upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. This follows its previous approval for treating patients of the same age with lower limb spasticity — and makes Dysport…

After an intensive treatment period, changes in motor capacity in children with cerebral palsy, as observed in a standardized environment, do not correlate well with actual motor performance in daily life, a new study suggests. The study, titled “Relationship between changes in motor capacity and objectively measured…

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) — delivering acoustic energy like a person might feel at a concert — may be helpful in treating spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, a recent review and meta-analysis suggests. While no serious side effects were observed in any patients, more research is…

A review found limited evidence that botox outperforms other forms of treatment in improving walking, joint motion, or muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The study, “Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of lower limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy,” was published in the…

Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinB) injections have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with chronic sialorrhea, or drooling, a condition that’s often experienced by patients with cerebral palsy. Sialorrhea, commonly known as drooling, refers to an overflow of saliva production. The condition often…

Intrathecal baclofen pump (ITB) can be more effective than deep brain stimulation (DBS) for relieving involuntary muscle contractions (dystonia) and pain associated with cerebral palsy (CP), a case report suggests. The study, “Outcomes of Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy Compared With Deep Brain Stimulation in…

In South Korea, there has been a trend in recent years toward children with cerebral palsy starting therapy at earlier ages, with age-related differences in which therapies are used, a study shows. This information may help guide the crafting of more nuanced policies that consider age as an important…

Surgical removal of salivary glands to treat drooling in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) increases the number of white spots in their teeth, which must be treated promptly to avoid complications such as caries (cavities), a study finds. The…