Increased lower limb spasticity but not strength or function following a single-dose serotonin reuptake inhibitor in chronic stroke

You will have to ask your doctor for what changes in your stroke protocols result from this research. If we had a great stroke association they would be updating their stroke research database and protocol database on a daily basis. But since we don't you will have to hope and pray that your particular stroke hospital or clinic is doing this. I'm sure it is not so once again you are screwed.
http://search.naric.com/research/rehab/redesign_record.cfm?search=2&type=all&criteria=J72876&phrase=no&rec=129776
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Volume 96(12) , Pgs. 2112-2119.

NARIC Accession Number: J72876.  What's this?
ISSN: 0003-9993.
Author(s): Gourab, Krishnaj; Schmit, Brian D.; Hornby, T. George.
Project Number: H133G060124.
Publication Year: 2015.
Number of Pages: 8.
Abstract: Study investigated the effects of single doses of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) on lower-limb voluntary and reflex function in individuals with chronic stroke. Ten individuals with post-stroke hemiplegia for more than 1 year were assessed before and 5 hours after they were randomly assigned to receive a single 10-milligram dose of escitalopram (SSRI) or placebo. Primary assessments included maximal ankle and knee isometric strength, and velocity-dependent plantarflexor stretch reflexes under passive conditions, and separately during and after 3 superimposed maximal volitional drive to simulate conditions of increased serotonin release. Secondary measures included clinical measures of lower limb coordination and locomotion. The results indicated that SSRI administration significantly increased stretch reflex torques at higher stretch velocities, with reflexes at lower velocities enhanced by superimposed voluntary drive. No significant improvements were seen in strength or in clinical measures of lower-limb function after the single-dose SSRI administration. Further studies should evaluate whether repeated dosing of SSRIs, or as combined with specific interventions, is required to elicit significant benefit of these agents on post-stroke lower-limb function.
Descriptor Terms: BIOENGINEERING, BODY MOVEMENT, DRUGS, ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, HEMIPLEGIA, LIMBS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, MOTOR SKILLS, NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS, OUTCOMES, PHARMACOLOGY, SPASTICITY, STROKE.

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Citation: Gourab, Krishnaj, Schmit, Brian D., Hornby, T. George. (2015). Increased lower limb spasticity but not strength or function following a single-dose serotonin reuptake inhibitor in chronic stroke. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 96(12), Pgs. 2112-2119. Retrieved 3/10/2016, from REHABDATA database.