Practical Guidance for Outpatient Spasticity Management During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Canadian Spasticity COVID-19 Task Force

The patients with intrathecal baclofen pump in the age of COVID-19: a single center study

PURPOSE

Intrathecal baclofen pump treatment is employed in the treatment of various diseases. Despite the benefits of intrathecal baclofen pump, patients may occasionally encounter severe complications. These complications may necessitate urgent assessment or intervention for patients with intrathecal baclofen pumps. This study aimed to evaluate the intrathecal baclofen pump-related problems, the utilization of health services, physical-psychosocial status, and the quality of life of patients with intrathecal baclofen pumps during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional, phone-based survey study between 1 June 2021 and 15 July 2021 with a sample of 23 patients with intrathecal baclofen pumps. The patients' quality of life before the implantation of the pump, after one year of implantation, and during the pandemic was evaluated with the 3-level version of EQ-5D.

RESULTS

Catheter migration developed in one of the patients, after which the pump was changed. While the dose of baclofen was altered in eight (38.1%) patients during the pandemic period, the filling period was modified in three (14.3%) patients. While 61.9% of the patients reported that their general health, mobility, spasticity and joint mobility were worse than before the pandemic, 90.5% of the patients stated that their communication and mood were worse than before the pandemic. The 3-level version of EQ-5D and EQ-Visual Analogue Scale scores of the patients were significantly decreased during pandemic (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the complications of the intrathecal baclofen pump, its management should continue uninterruptedly during the pandemic period.

Spasticity following brain and spinal cord injury: assessment and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Spasticity is a common sequela of brain and spinal cord injury and contributes to disability, reduces quality of life, and increases economic burden. Spasticity is still incompletely recognized and undertreated. We will provide an overview of recent published data on the definition, assessment, and prediction, therapeutic advances, with a focus on promising new approaches, and telemedicine applications for spasticity.

RECENT FINDINGS

Two new definitions of spasticity have been recently proposed, but operational criteria should be developed, and test-retest and inter-rater reliability should be explored. Cannabinoids proved to be effective in spasticity in multiple sclerosis, but evidence in other types of spasticity is lacking. Botulinum neurotoxin injection is the first-line therapy for focal spasticity, and recent literature focused on optimizing its efficacy. Several pharmacological, interventional, and nonpharmacological therapeutic approaches for spasticity have been explored but low-quality evidence impedes solid conclusions on their efficacy. The recent COVID-19 pandemic yielded guidelines/recommendations for the use of telemedicine in spasticity.

SUMMARY

Despite the frequency of spasticity, robust diagnostic criteria and reliable assessment scales are required. High-quality studies are needed to support the efficacy of current treatments for spasticity. Future studies should explore telemedicine tools for spasticity assessment and treatment.

Patient satisfaction with virtual evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of CRPS

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased reliance on virtual care in the rehabilitation setting for patients with conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Aims

The aim of this study was to perform a quality improvement initiative to assess patient satisfaction and ensure that outcomes following virtual assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of CRPS with prednisone are safe and effective.

Methods

An online survey was distributed to 18 patients with CRPS who had been seen virtually between March and December 2020 through a rehabilitation clinic and treated with oral prednisone. Thirteen participants completed the survey, which was designed de novo by our team to evaluate participant perceptions and satisfaction regarding the virtual care experience. Also included in the survey was a CRPS-specific validated patient-report questionnaire (Hamilton Inventory for CRPS: PR-HI-CRPS), which allowed participants to describe their specific symptoms and associated functional and psychosocial impacts, both previously (pretreatment baseline) and at the time of survey (posttreatment).

Results

CRPS symptoms and related impacts were scored as significantly improved from baseline following treatment with prednisone. Likert scale results from survey responses related to patients' experiences and satisfaction with the virtual care process were analyzed; the majority of patients reported satisfaction with a virtual appointment for evaluation of CRPS, as well as with subsequent treatment decisions based on virtual assessment.

Conclusions

This quality improvement study suggests that virtual care is a potential option for a patient-accepted approach to overcoming challenges with in-person care imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and could help inform future considerations in addressing geographic and patient-specific disparities in access to specialist care for CRPS.

How Did the Lockdown Imposed Due to COVID-19 Affect Patients With Cerebral Palsy?

BACKGROUND

The novel coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2) caused disruption of the treatment and follow-up evaluations of children with cerebral palsy.

AIM

The change in mobility, pain, functional status, and spasticity was investigated who were followed in a pediatric rehabilitation unit after the lockdown.

METHODS

One hundred ten children were evaluated. Pain, severity of spasticity, botulinum toxin administration dates, and continuity of home exercises were recorded. The functional status was evaluated with the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM).

RESULTS

The WeeFIM self-care and mobility subscale scores and total scores were significantly worse. Only 5 of the participants had pain in the previous evaluations; in the last evaluation, 29 had pain complaints. The pain and spasticity severity of the participants whose botulinum toxin administration was delayed were significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The children with cerebral palsy should be followed with telemedicine at short intervals, and when necessary, in the hospital.

Botulinum Toxin Services for Neurorehabiliation: Recommendations for Challenges and Opportunities during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the function of medical facilities and rehabilitation services worldwide, including toxin services delivering Botulinum toxin treatments for neuromuscular conditions such as spasticity, dystonia, and sialorrhea. The aim of this paper is to understand how toxin services have dealt with the situation and what strategies have been adopted to continue services. The recommendations are based on a virtual round table held with toxin services experts from different European countries who shared their experiences and discussed the best practices. The challenges for toxin services were reviewed based on the experts' experiences and on relevant literature from 2020 and 2021. A set of recommendations and best practices were compiled, focusing firstly on guidance for clinical practice, including assessing patients' health and risk status and the urgency of their treatment. Secondly, it was discussed how patients on botulinum toxin therapy can be cared for and supported during the pandemic, and how modern technology and tele-medicine platforms can be generally used to optimize effectiveness and safety of toxin treatments. The technological advances prompted by the COVID-19 crisis can result in better and more modern patient care in the future.

Thoracic Anesthesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: 2021 Updated Recommendations by the European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EACTAIC) Thoracic Subspecialty Committee

The novel coronavirus pandemic has radically changed the landscape of normal surgical practice. Lifesaving cancer surgery, however, remains a clinical priority, and there is an increasing need to fully define the optimal oncologic management of patients with varying stages of lung cancer, allowing prioritization of which thoracic procedures should be performed in the current era. Healthcare providers and managers should not ignore the risk of a bimodal peak of mortality in patients with lung cancer; an imminent spike due to mortality from acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, and a secondary peak reflecting an excess of cancer-related mortality among patients whose treatments were deemed less urgent, delayed, or cancelled.

The European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Thoracic Anesthesia Subspecialty group has considered these challenges and developed an updated set of expert recommendations concerning the infectious period, timing of surgery, vaccination, preoperative screening and evaluation, airway management, and ventilation of thoracic surgical patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consensus recommendations for botulinum toxin injections in the spasticity management of children with cerebral palsy during COVID-19 outbreak

Spasticity is the most common motor disturbance in cerebral palsy (CP). Lockdown in the COVID-19 outbreak has profoundly changed daily routines, and similarly caused the suspension of spasticity treatment plans. Besides, the delay in botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection, which is important in the management of focal spasticity, led to some problems in children. This consensus report includes BoNT injection recommendations in the management of spasticity during the COVID-19 pandemic in children with CP. In order to develop the consensus report, physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) specialists experienced in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and BoNT injections were invited by Pediatric Rehabilitation Association. Items were prepared and adapted to the Delphi technique by PMR specialists. Then they were asked to the physicians experienced in BoNT injections (PMR specialist, pediatric orthopedists, and pediatric neurologists) or COVID-19 (pediatric infectious disease, adult infectious disease). In conclusion, the experts agree that conservative management approaches for spasticity may be the initial steps before BoNT injections. BoNT injections can be administered to children with CP with appropriate indications and with necessary precautions during the pandemic.

Telemedicine in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Pediatric Rehabilitation Perspective

ABSTRACT

In the spring of 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 evolved into a worldwide pandemic, forcing traditional face-to-face healthcare to a standstill. Telemedicine was quickly adopted as a major tool for pediatric rehabilitation services. This article describes the national legislative response of the United States to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the opportunities and challenges of implementing telemedicine in pediatric rehabilitation outpatient settings, consultations, as well as physician and patient education. The feasibility of performing a remote pediatric musculoskeletal and neurological tele-evaluation is also discussed. Although challenges exist, telemedicine has demonstrated its potential and has proven to be a practical system. Future developments in technology and accessibility, in addition to support from government and third-party payers, have the potential to make telemedicine an effective and vital platform in a coordinated healthcare system.

Discontinuation of botulinum neurotoxin type-A treatment during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian survey in post stroke and traumatic brain injury patients living with spasticity

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected health-care systems worldwide, including the outpatient spasticity care with botulinum neurotoxin toxin type A (BoNT-A).

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of discontinuation of BoNT-A treatment on patients living with spasticity during the COVID-19 quarantine.

DESIGN

A multicentric cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Outpatients setting.

POPULATION

Patients with spasticity after stroke and traumatic brain injury treated with BoNT-A.

METHODS

A phone-based survey was conducted from March to May, 2020. Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), an ad hoc questionnaire CORTOX (CORonavirus TOXin survey) was developed to investigate patients' experiences following the discontinuation of their usual treatment for spasticity due to the lockdown and its implication on their health perception. It assessed patients' condition and explored different ICF domains related to spasticity: unpleasant sensations, mobility, self-care, facilitators and psychosocial factors. The sum of those represented the CORTOX score (Max 142). The questionnaire also collected data about the impact of COVID-19 on patients' wellbeing (mood, sleep, relationships, community life, motivation).

RESULTS

A total of 151 participants completed the survey. Most participants (72.2%) experienced a worsening in perceived spasticity, 53% got worse in independence and 70.9% had a negative impact on quality of life. The mean CORTOX score was 52.85±27.25, reflecting a perceived worsening in all ICF domains investigated. Moderate to strong correlations were found between different sub-scores of the questionnaire and severity of spasticity (P<0.001). COVID-19 psychosocial related factors were associated with loss of independence (P<0.05) but only mood was associated with worsening of spasticity (P<0.001). The lack of rehabilitation therapy was significantly associated with the worsening of independence but not with the worsening of spasticity. Finally, respondents reported that BoNT-A was useful to their condition and should not be discontinued.

CONCLUSIONS

The discontinuation of BoNT-A treatment was associated with worsening of activities and participation and perceived spasticity. COVID-19 related problems and rehabilitation showed an association with loss of independence.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

This study will provide useful information in the field of spasticity management using a patient's centred approach, with consistent quantitative and qualitative information.

Spasticity Outpatient Evaluation via Telemedicine: A Practical Framework

The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in significant changes to delivery of care in the field of physiatry. Most prominently, in-person visits have fast tracked to virtual visits. As we are forced to quickly adopt this new technology for our doctor-patient interactions, many questions remain with regard to structuring telemedicine visits for optimal outcomes. Little has been written on virtual evaluations of patients with spasticity. The intent of this article was to provide a framework for conducting a virtual spasticity assessment via telemedicine. We will provide tips on how to conduct a person-centered virtual examination assessment and how to document goals related to the virtual assessment.