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In Reply.—
The results reported in our publication were a balanced reflection of those obtained from all multiple sclerosis patients involved in a multicenter, controlled trial of baclofen vs placebo. Since, as mentioned in the article, a standardized method of clinical measurement of the various signs and symptoms involved is not available, a variety of assessments and measurements were employed.Some of these, by necessity, were quite subjective in nature and, therefore, easily criticized. One cannot, however, use specialized neurophysiological techniques in such a broadbased clinical trial employing primarily clinically oriented investigators and centers. Therefore, we can, at best, attempt to rate those signs and symptoms considered clinically significant by such clinicians.Although the meaning of "diluting the beneficial effects of the drug" is not quite clear from Dr Young's letter, we believe that all results should have been and were reported. Furthermore, improvement in such key symptoms as frequency of flexor