%0 Journal Article %1 Dahlin1993 %A Dahlin, M. %A Knutsson, E. %A Nerg?rdh, A. %D 1993 %J J Neurol Sci %K Adolescent; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Circadian Rhythm; Clonazepam; Double-Blind Method; Electromyography; Female; Hemiplegia; Humans; Male; Muscle Relaxants, Central; Spasticity; Rotation %N 1-2 %P 54--60 %T Treatment of spasticity in children with low dose benzodiazepine. %V 117 %X In an attempt to investigate whether benzodiazepines at low dosage have a significant effect in reducing spasticity among children with cerebral palsy, we carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Twelve children with either spastic diplegia or hemiplegia participated in this study. The mean age was 14 years. The restraint of passive knee movements was determined with a dynamic dynamometer and spastic stretch reflexes were measured as EMG activity in muscles stretched. Clonazepam was given at low dosage (0.02 mg/kg body weight). In each child measurements of passive restraint were made on 2 different days immediately before and 3 h after an i.m. injection of either clonazepam or placebo in randomized order. Clonazepam significantly reduced spastic restraint (P < 0.001) compared to non-significant reduction with placebo. The mean plasma concentration of clonazepam at time of spasticity evaluation was 21 mmol/l which is in the low dose range, far below conventional doses. The study thus shows a positive effect of low dose clonazepam in reducing spasticity in children when given as a single dose.

@article{Dahlin1993, abstract = {In an attempt to investigate whether benzodiazepines at low dosage have a significant effect in reducing spasticity among children with cerebral palsy, we carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Twelve children with either spastic diplegia or hemiplegia participated in this study. The mean age was 14 years. The restraint of passive knee movements was determined with a dynamic dynamometer and spastic stretch reflexes were measured as EMG activity in muscles stretched. Clonazepam was given at low dosage (0.02 mg/kg body weight). In each child measurements of passive restraint were made on 2 different days immediately before and 3 h after an i.m. injection of either clonazepam or placebo in randomized order. Clonazepam significantly reduced spastic restraint (P < 0.001) compared to non-significant reduction with placebo. The mean plasma concentration of clonazepam at time of spasticity evaluation was 21 mmol/l which is in the low dose range, far below conventional doses. The study thus shows a positive effect of low dose clonazepam in reducing spasticity in children when given as a single dose.}, added-at = {2014-07-19T19:17:14.000+0200}, author = {Dahlin, M. and Knutsson, E. and Nerg?rdh, A.}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/20f01b59036221d7b666e5729f5faf598/ar0berts}, groups = {public}, interhash = {331638193842cf16db08b99b60b12272}, intrahash = {0f01b59036221d7b666e5729f5faf598}, journal = {J Neurol Sci}, keywords = {Adolescent; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Circadian Rhythm; Clonazepam; Double-Blind Method; Electromyography; Female; Hemiplegia; Humans; Male; Muscle Relaxants, Central; Spasticity; Rotation}, month = Jul, number = {1-2}, pages = {54--60}, pmid = {8410067}, timestamp = {2014-07-19T19:17:14.000+0200}, title = {Treatment of spasticity in children with low dose benzodiazepine.}, username = {ar0berts}, volume = 117, year = 1993 }