Objectives : To compare efficacy of oral baclofen and tizanidine in reducing spasticity in cerebral palsy .

Methods: This randomized controlled trial includes 66 spastic cerebral palsy cases aging 1- 5yrs. 33 received Baclofen and another 33 received Tizanidine.

Cases were assessed before starting studied drugs for i) Muscle tone through Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) ii) Angle for crouch measured by Goniometer and iii) Foot contact with ground. The angles for crouch gait and foot contact were described by Physician Rating Scale. Finally the overall Motor function was measured by GMFCS. Intensive physiotherapy was given uniformly to both groups. The cases were re-assessed 4 weekly till 5 months follow-up through above scales to compare drug effects and side effects if any.

Result: At 3 month follow up Tizanidine showed significant improvement in foot contact and gross motor function over Baclofen ,p=0.013 and p=0.024 respectively . At 5 month Tizanidine demonstrated significant reduction of muscle tone over Baclofen (p=0.026).

Tizanidine demonstrated statistically significant superior efficacy in reducing spasticity over Baclofen regarding reduction of muscle tone, improvement in foot contact and gross motor function (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.001 respectively).Tizanidine also had less side effects.

Conclusion: Tizanidine had superior efficacy over Baclofen in reducing spasticity with regards to muscle tone, foot contact and gross motor function. It had also fewer side effects than Baclofen.