Oral baclofen in children with cerebral palsy: a double-blind cross-over pilot study.

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of oral baclofen in reducing spasticity and improving function in children with cerebral palsy.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomised cross-over pilot study of oral baclofen versus placebo. Assessment tools included the Goal Attainment Scale, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Modified Tardieu Scale and parent questionnaire.

RESULTS

Fifteen children with mean age 7.4 years (SD=2.7 years) and spastic or spastic/dystonic quadriplegia (Gross Motor Function Classification System Level IV or V) were enrolled. Children scored significantly better on the Goal Attainment Scale with baclofen compared with placebo (F(1,13)=4.5, P=0.05). There was no significant difference between baclofen and placebo for the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory or Modified Tardieu Scale. Parent questionnaire results are described.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study demonstrates that oral baclofen has an effect beyond placebo in improving goal-oriented tasks, such as transfers, in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.