A Prospective Cohort Study of ITB Treatment for HSP

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs due to retrograde axonal degeneration of the corticospinal tract. Baclofen is a selective GABA-B receptor agonist and is commonly used for the treatment of spasticity. Baclofen can be administered orally or intrathecally by the surgical implantation of a specialized pump. Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is significantly more potent for the treatment of spasticity than the oral form. The goal of this clinical trial is to explore the efficacy and safety of ITB in the treatment of HSP patients. This study is prospective, open-label, single center, and this trial will last for 3 years. A total of 50 patients will participate. Twenty-five patients who will receive ITB and the other 25 control patients will receive oral baclofen. Patients with HSP aged 14 to 70 years, with a Modified Ashworth Scale score of ≥3 in ≥2 joints of lower limb, will be recruited. Patients who do not agree to undergo ITB and/or those who have an inadequate response during intrathecal baclofen test will receive oral baclofen therapy and undergo natural history observation. Professional clinical evaluations are conducted regularly for both groups.