Development and evaluation of a community respiratory physiotherapy service for children with severe neurodisability

Understanding and managing respiratory infections in children and young adults with neurological impairment

INTRODUCTION

Patients with neurocognitive impairment (NI) have multiple medical needs, with respiratory problems leading to an important reduction in quality of life and life expectancy. We aimed to explain that the origin of chronic respiratory symptoms in patients with NI is multifactorial.

AREAS COVERED

In people with NI there is a high prevalence of swallowing dysfunction and hypersalivation inducing aspiration; cough efficacy is decreased resulting in chronic lung infection; sleep-disordered breathing is frequent and muscle mass is abnormal due to malnutrition. Technical investigations are not always specific and sensitive enough to better diagnose the causes of the respiratory symptoms; moreover, they can sometimes be difficult to perform in this vulnerable patient population. We provide a clinical pathway to adopt to identify, prevent, and treat respiratory complications in children and young adults with NI. A holistic approach in discussion with all care providers and the parents is highly recommended.

EXPERT OPINION

The care for people with NI and chronic respiratory problems is challenging. The interplay between several causative factors may be difficult to entangle. Well-performed clinical research in this field is largely missing and should be encouraged. Only then, evidence-based clinical care will become possible for this vulnerable patient group.

Evaluating a community respiratory physiotherapy service for children with neurodisability

BACKGROUND

Children with neurodisability are at an increased risk of respiratory problems and complications, which often result in prolonged, frequent hospital admissions and are the biggest cause of mortality in this client group. The Children's Community Respiratory Physiotherapy Service (CCRPS) was established in 2010 to support children with severe neurodisabilities at home during acute chest infections and to prevent emergency department attendances and hospital admissions. This service evaluation looked at patient/parent satisfaction and prevented admissions to ensure clinical and cost-effectiveness, despite the rising demand for the service.

METHODS

Over a 3-month period, patients and parents/carers on the CCRPS caseload were given a Picker feedback survey following 100 emergency visits from the team. The number of prevented hospital admissions for respiratory tract infection over 12 months (April 2019-March 2020) was identified from existing CCRPS data and hospital admissions costs saved were estimated.

RESULTS

The Picker survey responses were extremely positive with all respondents reporting that they felt well looked after and that the main reason for the emergency visit was dealt with well. Based on key indicators, the CCRPS prevented 182 hospital admissions for respiratory tract infection in 2019/2020, equating to 1638 bed days and estimated cost savings ranging between £751 728 and £1 009 986.

CONCLUSIONS

The Picker survey response demonstrates the positive impact that the CCRPS has on both quality of life and experience for patients and families. The CCRPS rapid response service prevents hospital admissions for respiratory tract infections in children and young people with severe neurodisability and the cost savings from admissions prevented allows the service to more than pay for itself.

Reduction in respiratory exacerbation rate in patients with severe bilateral cerebral palsy following daily PEP-mask therapy: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Respiratory complications caused by the inability to protect the upper airways and ineffective cough represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Even though the application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEP) through a face mask has gained large popularity as a technique to prevent bronchial mucous encumbrance, its long-term effects on clinical course and respiratory function in individuals with CP have not been investigated.

AIM

The aim of this study is to investigate whether regular application of PEP through a face mask can improve clinical status and respiratory function in patients with severe CP.

DESIGN

Observational, retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

The outpatient rehabilitation unit of the IRCCS E. Medea Rehabilitation Hospital in Conegliano, Italy.

POPULATION

CP outpatients admitted to the unit between January 1st, 2006 and December 31st, 2018.

METHODS

All the medical records of the enrolled patients were collected and reviewed. All patients underwent multidisciplinary respiratory evaluation at T0 (immediately before the beginning of PEP-use) and T1 (12 months after). The evaluation assessed respiratory infections history (number of exacerbations per year), blood gas analysis, measurement of airway resistance through the interrupter technique.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients affected with CP (mean age 9.19±5.56 years, range 3-23 years, 8 females) were included. All patients had more than 3 infections per year (mean 4.81±1.17) in the year prior to treatment (T0). At T1 mean number of infections was 1.57±0.81); 17 patients (80%) reported less than three infections; two patients (10%) reported zero infections, two patients (10%) reported three infections. Blood gas analysis and airway resistance values did not show a significant difference at T0 and T1.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily PEP-mask therapy reduces frequency of respiratory exacerbations in patients with severe bilateral CP.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

PEP-mask is a valuable rehabilitative tool in severe CP patients with frequent respiratory exacerbations.

Respiratory morbidity in children with cerebral palsy: an overview

Respiratory problems have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). In particular, recurrent aspiration, impaired airway clearance, spinal and thoracic deformity, impaired lung function, poor nutritional status, and recurrent respiratory infections negatively affect respiratory status. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia may contribute to pulmonary problems, but asthma is not more common in CP than in the general population. We discuss treatment options for each of these factors. Multiple coexisting and interacting factors that influence the respiratory status of patients with CP should be recognized and effectively addressed to reduce respiratory morbidity and mortality. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Respiratory problems are a significant cause of morbidity in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Respiratory status in patients with CP is influenced by recurrent aspiration and impaired airway clearance. Spinal and thoracic deformity, impaired lung function, poor nutrition, and respiratory infections also negatively affect respiratory status. These factors should all be addressed to reduce respiratory problems in patients with CP.