Objective: To study the efficacy of ultrasound-guided local injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatment with orthopedic joint brace in patients with cervical dystonia (CD).
Patients and methods: A total of 105 patients with cervical dystonia were selected and randomly divided into medication treatment group (A group), botulinum toxin treatment group under the guidance of ultrasound treatment (B group) and botulinum toxin under the guidance of ultrasound treatment combined with orthopedic joint brace treatment group (C group). Tsui scale and Spitzer quality of life index was applied to evaluate the spasm and quality of life. The scores of Tsui scale and Spitzer quality of life index were compared after ultrasound-guided local treatment for one month, three months and six months.
Results: The difference in Tsui and Spitzer scores before and after the treatment of oral medications were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Whereas, the differences in Tsui and Spitzer scores before and after the treatment between local injection of BTX-A treatment group and orthopedic joint brace combined with BTX-A injection group were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Also, the difference in Tsui and Spitzer scores of orthopedic joint brace combined with BTX-A injection group at 3 months, and 6 months were statistically significant compared to local injection of BTX-A treatment group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided local injection of BTX-A combined with orthopedic brace could significantly reduce muscle tension and improve quality of life.