Assessing the immediate impact of botulinum toxin injection on impedance of spastic muscle

Xiaoyan Li, Henry Shin, Le Li, Elaine Magat, Sheng Li, Ping Zhou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the immediate impacts of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) injections on the inherent electrical properties of spastic muscles using a newly developed electrical impedance myography (EIM) technique. Impedance measures were performed before and after a BoNT-A injection in biceps brachii muscles of 14 subjects with spasticity. Three major impedance variables, resistance (R), reactance (X) and phase angle (θ) were obtained from three different configurations, and were evaluated using the conventional EIM frequency at 50 kHz as well as multiple frequency analysis. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant decrease of resistance in the injected muscles (Multiple-frequency: Rpre = 25.17 ± 1.94 Ohm, Rpost = 23.65 ± 1.63 Ohm, p < 0.05; 50 kHz: Rpre = 29.06 ± 2.16 Ohm, Rpost = 27.7 ± 1.89 Ohm, p < 0.05). Despite this decrease, there were no substantial changes in the reactance, phase angle, or anisotropy features after a BoNT-A injection. The significant changes of muscle resistance were most likely associated with the liquid injection of the BoNT-A-saline solution rather than the immediate toxin effects on the muscle. This study demonstrated high sensitivity of the EIM technique in the detection of alterations to muscle composition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)97-102
Number of pages6
JournalMedical Engineering and Physics
Volume43
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A)
  • Electrical impedance myography (EIM)
  • Spasticity

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