ArticleCureus2025
Exploring the Role of Bipolar Thermal Radiofrequency in Complex Multi-pattern Post-stroke Spasticity: Clinical Insights From a Case Report With Combined Botulinum Toxin Type A Therapy.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Post-stroke spasticity significantly impairs quality of life by hindering functional abilities and increasing dependency. Common treatments include botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) injections. BoNTA is effective for spasticity management, but some situations may require alternative approaches. This case report explores the role and efficacy of bipolar thermal radiofrequency in complex multi-pattern post-stroke spasticity. A 44-year-old man experienced increased left-sided spasticity five years post-stroke, despite initial success with BoNTA. The patient exhibited left hemiparesis with severe spasticity in the left limbs (Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score 2 to 4 in several muscle groups) and was treated with high doses of incobotulinumtoxinA. Combined treatment with bipolar thermal radiofrequency was implemented to redistribute the dose among other muscles, achieving a more comprehensive approach for better outcomes. It resulted in immediate spasticity reduction in elbow flexors (MAS 2 to 0). Four weeks post-treatment, the patient reported pain disappearance (visual analogue scale (VAS) 0) and reduced spasticity (MAS 0-3 in several muscle groups). In conclusion, thermal radiofrequency enhances outcomes in post-stroke spasticity, potentially improving functionality and quality of life. As one of the first cases reported, our findings highlight its feasibility and potential benefit. Further research is needed to explore broader applications.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.