Therapistsinms.org.uk

Neurology
The role of
spasTiciTy in
The qualiTy of
life of people wiTh
Ms – a reflecTion
Nicola Russell – Director of Services MS Trust
Definition and language can be a real and social activities. A clinical algorithm and challenging condition for the barrier to treating spasticity correctly. describes the management of an increase individual given the diagnosis as The person with MS might describe their in spasticity including the usage of well as for the health professionals and symptom as a 'spasm', using the term to potential treatments. Table 2 shows the health care systems trying to maximise their mean a sudden wave of pain, whereas possible trigger factors for spasticity.
health and quality of life. Not only is there a health professional would understand Effective treatments include physiotherapy, a loss of mobility and function brought on the word to mean a sharp contraction of occupational therapy, rehabilitation as well by the disease but there are also a range a muscle. People with spasticity will also as drug therapies. Within drug therapies of symptoms which can be seen to varying describe their muscles as feeling stiff, degrees. Currently there are approximately heavy and difficult to move. Table 1 shows 100,000 people with MS in the UK and it the different types of spasms people with remains the greatest cause of disability in MS can experience.
The management of spasticity
can be a rewarding challenge
One of the most challenging symptoms vary from person to person, day to day, for health care professionals in
both hospital and community
of MS is spasticity. The impact on a person's hour to hour and can impact on many settings. Tailoring treatment
life and ultimately that of their family and activities. Nevertheless, spasticity can be strategies to suit an individual
carers can be far-reaching. It affects all successfully managed. Education of and requires detailed ongoing
aspects of life; employment, home and commitment by the person with spasticity, liaison between the person
social and it changes relationships when multidisciplinary teamwork and the with spasticity, carers and
their treating teams.
family and friends are insidiously drawn appropriate timing and use of various drug into a caring role. Spasticity affects how treatments can maximise management. people see themselves and how they believe others see them and can lead health professionals to summarise the to frustration, and depression, further management of spasticity in a care the NICE Guideline2 states that the first affecting lifestyle.
pathway. Written by Dr Val Stephenson line of treatment should be baclofen or Research undertaken in 2004 showed a consultant neurologist at the National gabapentin. Other drugs should only be that 82% of people with MS experienced Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, given if treatment with baclofen or the a problem with spasticity with 54% and specialist nurses Liz Keenan and Louise anti epileptic gabapentin is unsuccessful classifying the impact as "moderate" Jarrett it explores the various issues related or side effects are unmanageable. Baclofen or "high"1. People can describe the to spasticity including the prevention of acts directly on the central nervous system spasticity as annoying, uncomfortable and sensory stimuli, the importance of posture, and the dose must be titrated to ensure unpredictable, although spasticity can also and effective moving and handling. It maximum efficacy without undue side be helpful. For example some people use considers the impact of spasticity for effects. Tizanidine also acts on the central the stiffness of their spasticity or extensor the person with MS in particular pain, nervous system and requires titration. spasms to assist them when walking or sexual dysfunction, emotional issues and Benzodiazepines such as Diazepam or transferring from bed to chair.
the impact of spasticity on employment Clonazepam may be valuable especially Neurology
prior to sleep. Dantrolene is the only drug Trigger factors
Management advice
used that acts directly on the muscles. More serious treatments include intrathecal baclofen administered via an implanted pump. Phenol injected into the intrathecal Review of bladder, bowel and skin care management techniques may improve the severing of the tracts in the spinal cord.
Pain and infection will aggravate spasticity. Locating and treating the source of the pain side effects intolerable. The clinical trial or infection eg skin infection or an ingrown Figure 1 to be positioned in column 1 page 2 starting below small block of text.

Simply loosening tight garments may help to relieve spasticity. If splints are causing discomfort or skin irritation then they will need reviewing by an orthotic or therapy service.
Flexor spasms:
The limb will bend upwards towards the person's body is interesting and shows the difficulties their spasticity effectively to improve their
of carrying out studies in a complex quality of life, help them remain mobile, in
variable long term condition such as MS. work and self managing. n
Effective measures of spasticity are not
readily available and in addition what For a free copy of:
the person with MS values in the context l "The role of the healthcare
Extensor spasms:
of their daily life is often not perceived professional in the management of
The limb extends away from the person's body spasticity" care pathway
The early Plymouth study undertaken to l Spasticity and spasms factsheet
look at the effect of cannabis therapy on
spasticity was not statistically significant MS Trust www.mstrust.org.uk
using the Ashworth scale to measure the Phone: 01462 476700
spasticity and yet all the people with MS
quality measures were positive3. How to
balance these issues remains a challenge ReFeReNceS
Adductor spasms:
for licensing and funding authorities. 1. Hemmett L, Holmes J, Barnes M, Russell The limb will pull inwards towards the person's body. Commonly a person experiences this as difficultly N. What drives quality of life in multiple are closer to their patients and see the consequences of their illness the decisions 2. National Institute for Clinical Excel-may be more straightforward, and the long awaited arrival of a licensed cannabis secondary care. NICE Clinical Guideline 8. Effective spasticity management requires 3. Zajicek J, Fox P, Sanders H, Wright D, Spasms affecting the trunk:
of trigger factors and the careful evaluation The back or trunk can arch off a bed or away from the and use of drug treatments. Primary care clinicians are well placed to anticipate

Source: http://www.therapistsinms.org.uk/downloads/Spasticity-Management-N-Russell-NAP-Review-2010-Autumn.pdf_.pdf