Potential benefits for caregivers of stroke survivors receiving BTX-A and exercise for upper extremity spasticity.

Purpose: To explore possible extended benefits to caregivers of stroke survivors receiving a treatment of onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) or saline with a structured exercise program.

Design: A comparative, prospective, companion study using a nonrandom sample of 16 caregivers of stroke survivors enrolled in a pilot clinical trial comparing BTX-A or saline and exercise for upper extremity spasticity.

Methods: The caregiver measures were depressive symptoms, care demands, family conflict surrounding stroke recovery, and mental and physical health status.