Intrathecal baclofen treatment of severe spasticity in MS patients

The administration of intrathecal baclofen has proven to be effective in the treatment of severe spasticity. The effects of baclofen have been described in all types of spinal spasticity, even in multiple sclerosis: effects on the spasms, on the hypertone and on the hyperreflexia. In this study we report on 14 polysclerotic patients, suffering from severe spinal spasticity, undergoing chronic intrathecal baclofen treatment with the use of computerized pump, that permits the continuous or intermittent release of dosages much lower that dose used orally. The results obtained show a notable reduction in spastic symptomatology with an improvement of the voluntary motor functions in some cases. Our observations confirm the validity of intrathecal baclofen even in the symptomatic therapy of multiple sclerosis.