Use of Steroids to Treat Spasticity in MS

By Brett Drummond

Spasticity is a common symptom in people with multiple sclerosis, having a major impact on quality of life and imposing a financial burden. There are a number of current treatments for spasticity (including Botox as has been previously featured), but all have limitations including their level of effectiveness, accompanying side-effects and associated costs. A study published online this week from the Universität Rostock in Germany investigated a novel treatment option involving the use of a steroid, known as TCA, injected into the space surrounding the spinal cord.

The study included 54 people with progressive MS, all of whom had severe spasticity and had not responded to first-line therapeutic options. Each individual received a total of between three and five injections, administered every second day. The effect of the steroid was measured by observing outcomes on spasticity, maximum walking distance, disability, quality of life and bladder control. After treatment, significant improvements were seen in all categories, except for bladder control where improvements were only seen in one out of every seven individuals.

This study shows evidence that TCA injections may be useful to help improve spasticity in people with progressive MS, who do not respond to first-line treatments. It is important to note that all patients received physiotherapy at the same time as being treated with TCA to obtain the best outcomes. Longer-term studies will be needed to assess any future side-effects that may arise from TCA use.