Botulinum toxin in the treatment of orofacial tardive dyskinesia:A single blind study

Objective: Orofacial tardive dyskinesia (OTD) is difficult to treat and Botulinium Toxin A (BTA) may be an option.Methods: In a single blind (raters were blind) study (N= 12, duration 33 weeks) OTD was treated with Botulinum Toxin A in three consecutive sessions with increasing dosages. The severity was measured with the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).Results: Overall there was a non-significant reduction in the severity of OTD (p=0.15). However, in the patients with no change in their anti psychotic medication (N= 8) the reduction was significant (p=0.035). After the study, 50% of the patients preferred to continue the Botulinum Toxin A treatment.Conclusion: BTA was well tolerated and showed a non-significant improvement for OTD. A larger double blind study is warranted. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.