Abstract
Cutter NC, Scott DD, Johnson JC, Whiteneck G. Gabapentin effect on spasticity in multiple
sclerosis: a placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000;81:164-9.
Objective: To investigate the effect of gabapentin on subject self-report and physician-administered
spasticity scales in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Design: Prospective, double-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover design. Setting: The Multiple Sclerosis Center at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Intervention: Subjects were titrated to either 900mg gabapentin orally three times a day or placebo
over a 6-day period. Subjects underwent a 14-day washout and then were crossed over.
No other changes were made to their medication regimen. Main Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were divided into two categories: subject self-report scales
physician-administered scales. Subject self-report scales included the spasm frequency
scale, spasm severity scale, interference with function scale, painful spasm scale,
and global assessment scale. Physician-administered scales included the Modified Ashworth
Scale, clonus scale, deep tendon reflexes, plantar stimulation response, and the Kurtzke
Expanded Disability Status (EDSS) Scale. Digit Span and Digit Symbol subtests of the
WAIS-R Intelligence Scale were administered to assess for possible impaired concentration.
The Fatigue Impact Scale was administered to assess for changes in fatigue. The adjective
generation technique was administered to assess for alterations in mood. Results: A statistically significant reduction in the impairment of spasticity was found in
the gabapentin-treated subjects compared with placebo as measured by the self-report
scales of the spasm severity scale, interference with function scale, painful spasm
scale, and global assessment scale and by the physician-administered scales of the
Modified Ashworth and plantar stimulation response. No significant difference was
noted in the Digit Span, Digit Symbol, adjective generation technique, and EDSS. Conclusion: Gabapentin reduces the impairment of spasticity, compared with placebo, without the
side effects of worsening concentration and fatigue. © 2000 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 8,
1999
Received in revised form:
July 8,
1999
Received:
October 19,
1998
Footnotes
☆Supported by a grant from the National Institute of Disability Research and Rehabilitation.
☆☆No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the result of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the authors or upon any organization with which the authors are associated.
★Reprints will not be available from the authors.
★★Supplier
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Copyright
© 2000 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
