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Telehealth for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a multidisciplinary service in a Brazilian reference center

Telessaúde para esclerose lateral amiotrófica em um serviço multidisciplinar em um centro de referência brasileiro

Abstract

Background

Telehealth has been used in the treatment of different diseases, and it has been shown to provide benefits for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Due to the social distancing measures put into effect during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was an urgent need for telehealth to ensure the provision of healthcare.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of telehealth for the provision of multidisciplinary ALS care, and to assess its acceptability among patients and caregivers.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in which multidisciplinary evaluations were performed using the Teleconsulta platform. The patients included had ALS and at least one in-person clinical evaluation. The patients and the caregivers answered satisfaction questionnaires.

Results

The sample was composed of 46 patients, 32 male and 14 female subjects. The average distance from their residences to the reference services was of 115 km. Respiratory adjustment was the most addressed topic.

Conclusion

The strategy is viable and well accepted in terms of satisfaction. It was even more positive for patients in advanced stages of the disease or for those living far from the referral center.

Keywords:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Motor Neuron Disease; Telemedicine

Resumo

Antecedentes

A telessaúde tem sido utilizada no tratamento de diferentes doenças, e demonstrou-se que ela traz benefícios para pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA). Devido às medidas de distanciamento social postas em prática durante a pandemia de doença do coronavírus 2019 (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, em inglês), houve uma necessidade urgente de se usar a telessaúde para garantir a provisão dos cuidados de saúde.

Objetivo

Avaliar a viabilidade da telessaúde para a prestação de cuidados multidisciplinares na ELA, e verificar a sua aceitabilidade entre os pacientes e os cuidadores.

Métodos

Realizou-se um estudo de coorte retrospectivo, com avaliações multidisciplinares realizadas por meio da plataforma Teleconsulta. Os pacientes incluídos apresentavam ELA, e já haviam passado por pelo menos uma avaliação clínica presencial. Os pacientes e os cuidadores responderam a questionários de satisfação.

Resultados

A amostra continha 46 pacientes, 32 do sexo masculino e 14 do sexo feminino. A distância média de suas residências ao serviço de referência era de 115 km. O ajuste respiratório foi o tema mais abordado.

Conclusão

A estratégia é viável e bem-aceita em termos de satisfação. Foi ainda mais positiva para os pacientes com doença avançada ou residentes em uma cidade distante do centro de referência.

Palavras-chave:
Esclerose Amiotrófica Lateral; Doença do Neurônio Motor; Telemedicina

INTRODUCTION

Technology has been used in healthcare for several years through different tools (such as phone and video calls and sending digital documents),11 Sood S, Mbarika V, Jugoo S, et al. What is telemedicine? A collection of 104 peer-reviewed perspectives and theoretical underpinnings. Telemed J E Health 2007;13(05):573–590. Doi: 10.1089/tmj.2006.0073
https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2006.0073...
and the terms telemedicine and telehealth emerged from it. Telemedicine uses technological tools to provide healthcare as well as the exchange of information between the physician and the patient, while telehealth is a broader concept involving support groups, health professionals, and information.22 Howard IM, Kaufman MS. Telehealth applications for outpatients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. Muscle Nerve 2018;58(04):475–485. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26115
https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26115...
, 33 Perednia DA, Allen A. Telemedicine technology and clinical applications. JAMA 1995;273(06):483–488

The telestroke was one of the first telehealth services used to perform remote clinical evaluations and make therapeutic decisions.44 Wechsler LR, Demaerschalk BM, Schwamm LH, et al; American Heart Association Stroke Council Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Council on duality of Care and Outcomes Research. Telemedicine quality and outcomes in stroke: a scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American heart association/American stroke association. Stroke 2017;48(01):e3–e25. Doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000114
https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.000000000000...
, 55 Levine SR, Gorman M. “Telestroke”: the application of telemedicine for stroke. Stroke 1999;30(02):464–469. Doi: 10.1161/01.str.30.2.464
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.30.2.464...
Telehealth has also been used to follow up patients with other conditions,66 Dicianno BE, Fairman AD, McCue M, et al. Feasibility of using mobile health to promote self-management in spina bifida. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2016;95(06):425–437. Doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000400
https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.000000000000...
, 77 Dallolio L, Menarini M, China S, et al; THRIVE Project. Functional and clinical outcomes of telemedicine in patients with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008;89(12):2332–2341. Doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.06.012
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2008.06.0...
, 88 Martinez RN, Hogan TP, Lones K, et al. Evaluation and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury through the implementation of clinical video telehealth: provider perspectives from the veterans health administration. PM R 2017;9(03):231–240. Doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.07.002
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.07.0...
, 99 Lo MD, Gospe SM Jr. Telemedicine and Child Neurology. J Child Neurol 2019;34(01):22–26. Doi: 10.1177/0883073818807516
https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073818807516...
, 1010 Moccia M, Lanzillo R, Brescia Morra V, et al; Digital Technologies Web and Social Media Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology. Assessing disability and relapses in multiple sclerosis on tele-neurology. Neurol Sci 2020;41(06):1369–1371. Doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04470-x
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04470...
and it has been shown to provide benefits for patients with neuromuscular diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).22 Howard IM, Kaufman MS. Telehealth applications for outpatients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. Muscle Nerve 2018;58(04):475–485. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26115
https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26115...
, 1111 Vitacca M, Comini L, Tentorio M, et al. A pilot trial of telemedicineassisted, integrated care for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers. J Telemed Telecare 2010;16 (02):83-88. Doi: 10.1258/jtt.2009.090604
https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2009.090604...
, 1212 Pinto A, Almeida JP, Pinto S, Pereira J, Oliveira AG, de Carvalho M. Home telemonitoring of non-invasive ventilation decreases healthcare utilisation in a prospective controlled trial of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010;81(11):1238–1242. Doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.206680
https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2010.206680...

Patients with ALS and their caregivers deal with several issues as the disease progresses. The treatment for ALS is based on controlling symptoms and improving quality of life and survival, since it currently has no cure.1313 Jackson CE, McVey AL, Rudnicki S, Dimachkie MM, Barohn RJ. Symptom Management and End-of-Life Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurol Clin 2015;33(04):889–908. Doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.010
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.01...
Thus, a multidisciplinary team must regularly monitor these patients through visits to increase therapeutic adherence and survival.1414 Hobson EV, McDermott CJ. Supportive and symptomatic management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2016;12 (09):526–538. Doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.111
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.11...
The multidisciplinary team is composed of different health professionals with expertise in ALS, like neurologists, pneumologists, nurses, dieticians, and other professionals. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, social distancing hampered this approach, and telehealth was used to enhance access to specialized care for patients with ALS, regardless of geographic distance.1515 Andrews JA, Berry JD, Baloh RH, et al. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care and research in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities. Muscle Nerve 2020;62(02):182–186. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26989
https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26989...
, 1616 Capozzo R, Zoccolella S, Musio M, Barone R, Accogli M, Logroscino G. Telemedicine is a useful tool to deliver care to patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: results from Southern Italy. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020;21(7–8):542–548. Doi: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1773502
https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2020.17...

Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the viability of teleconsultations for patients with ALS and the level of satisfaction of patients and caregivers at a referral center in northeastern Brazil.

METHODS

Study design

The present was a retrospective cohort study with ALS patients treated at the Motor Neuron Diseases outpatient clinic of Hospital Universitário Onofre Lopes, at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (HUOL/UFRN), from March 2020 to March 2021.

Patients

We included patients diagnosed with ALS according to the El Escoriai criteria with at least one in-person consultation. Published in 1994, the criteria include categories such as suspected, possible, probable, and definite. Cases that presented during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated in person before the follow-up through teleconsultation. Patients without internet access or who refused to participate in teleconsultations were excluded from the study. Teleconsultation was offered to all 71 patients regardless of the stage of the disease. Caregivers and patients could contact the group coordinator by phone or text message to schedule a teleconsultation. In total, 46 (64.7%) patients participated in the teleconsultations.

Protocol

A member of the multidisciplinary team contacted the patients through phone calls, usually one day before the teleconsultations, to apply a brief screening questionnaire. Then, synchronous teleconsultations were conducted.99 Lo MD, Gospe SM Jr. Telemedicine and Child Neurology. J Child Neurol 2019;34(01):22–26. Doi: 10.1177/0883073818807516
https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073818807516...
The service’s multidisciplinary team was composed of a neurologist with specialist expertise in ALS, motor and respiratory physiotherapists, a speech and swallow therapist, a dietician, and a psychologist. A shared virtual room was used, and all professionals were able to view the ongoing evaluation. Each visit takes between 1 and 2 hours.

Caregivers were invited to the teleconsultations when needed to help the patient communicate with the multidisciplinary team and clarify possible doubts and demands. The revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R)1717 Guedes K, Pereira C, Pavan K, Valério BC. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of als Functional Rating Scale-Revised in Portuguese language. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2010;68(01):44–47. Doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2010000100010
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0004-282x201000...
and the King’s Staging1818 Roche JC, Rojas-Garcia R, Scott KM, et al. A proposed staging system for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2012;135(Pt 3):847–852. Doi: 10.1093/brain/awr351
https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awr351...
were applied during the teleconsultations. We also collected data on symptoms, use of medication, general care, acute complications, equipment use, and results of the exams.

The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the ALSFRS-R score (≥ 39 and < 39) and ranked according to the rate of progression, calculated through the following equation: 48 – ALSFRS-R score at diagnosis/duration from onset of symptoms to diagnosis (in months). Rate of progression was classified as fast (> 1), intermediate (0.5 to 1.0), or slow (< 0.5).1919 Kimura F, Fujimura C, Ishida S, et al. Progression rate of ALSFRS-R at time of diagnosis predicts survival time in ALS. Neurology 2006;66 (02):265–267. Doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000194316.91908.8a
https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.000019431...

Technological tool (teleconsulta platform)

The Teleconsulta platform was developed by the information technology team of the Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health at HUOL/UFRN. It is a private virtual consultation room for health professionals and patients, accessed using a smartphone or computer with internet access. When the patients could not access this platform, the teleconsultation occurred using the Google Meet platform.

Assessment of the level of satisfaction

Two questionnaires were applied to assess the level of satisfaction after each teleconsultation using a Likert scale (one for the patient and the other for the caregiver).2020 Jamieson S. Likert scales: how to (ab)use them. Med Educ 2004;38 (12):1217–1218. Doi: 10.1111/j.l365-2929.2004.02012.x
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.l365-2929.2004...

Ethical considerations

The protocol for the present study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Board of UFRN (under numbers CEP HUOL/UFRN 4.152.889).

RESULTS

The spinal-onset classic phenotype was the most frequent among ALS patients. The probable (35%) and definite (30%) categories of the El Escoriai criteria and stage 4b (59%) on the King’s Staging were predominant among the studied patients.

The ALSFRS-R was applied during all evaluations, except to patients evaluated in less than three months. The patients were also investigated for signs of hypoventilation, weight loss, need for non-invasive ventilation using the bilevel positive airway pressure, gastrostomy, advanced respiratory life support, and tracheostomy (► Table 1).

Table 1
Baseline characteristics of the patients (N = 46)

Respiratory adjustment (such as the use or adjustment of non-invasive ventilation, masks, manual insufflator, and mechanical insufflation-exsufflation) was the most addressed topic in the teleconsultations, followed by medication adjustments (► Figure 1).

Figure 1
Topics addressed during the teleconsultations.

Due to instability in the internet connection or difficulties accessing the Teleconsulta platform, some consultations were performed using the Google Meet platform. In case of limited internet access, patients were individually consulted through phone calls. The lack of limited internet access, computer or smartphone incompatibility with the platform, illiterate patients, difficulty in properly accessing the platform, and poorly-positioned smartphone cameras (which prevented the physician from seeing the patient, for example) were the most common problems.

A total of 33 caregivers (► Table 2) and 36 patients (► Table 3) answered the questionnaire on the level of satisfaction. Although the teleconsultations were well evaluated, patients and caregivers reported that the experience differed from the regular in-person consultation.

Table 2
Questionnaire on the level of satisfaction of caregivers (%)
Table 3
Questionnaire on the level of satisfaction of patients (%)

DISCUSSION

Patients with ALS and caregivers evaluated well the teleconsultations. They highlighted the convenience of receiving assistance and maintenance of multidisciplinary care at home. However, the patients and caregivers reported the lack of physical contact and difficulties with technology as negative issues. The teleconsultation promoted engagement among the multidisciplinary team to discuss and evaluate patient and exchange information with professionals the city of origin of the patient. Drug prescriptions and exam requests were delivered to a caregiver at the referral center one week after the teleconsultation.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a small portion of patients were submitted to telehealth, and patients, caregivers, and health professionals reported a perception of satisfaction and safety.2121 Van De Rijn M, Paganoni S, Levine-Weinberg M, et al. Experience with telemedicine in a multi-disciplinary ALS clinic. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2018;19(1–2):143–148. Doi: 10.1080/21678421.2017.1392577
https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2017.13...
, 2222 McClellan F, Washington M, Ruff R, Selkirk SM. Early and innovative symptomatic care to improve quality of life of ALS patients at Cleveland VA ALS Center. J Rehabil Res Dev 2013;50(04):vii–xvi. Doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2013.05.0107
https://doi.org/10.1682/jrrd.2013.05.010...
, 2323 Nijeweme-d’Hollosy WO, Janssen EP, Huis in’t Veld RM, Spoelstra J, Vollenbroek-Hutten MM, Hermens HJ. Tele-treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). J Telemed Telecare 2006; 12(Suppl l):31–34. Doi: 10.1258/135763306777978434
https://doi.org/10.1258/1357633067779784...
, 2424 Helleman J, Kruitwagen ET, van den Berg LH, Visser-Meily JMA, Beelen A. The current use of telehealth in ALS care and the barriers to and facilitators of implementation: a systematic review. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020;21(3–4):167–182. Doi: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1706581
https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2019.17...
However, access to technology, a medical license to work only through teleconsultations, and the costs with the health insurance to establish the service were described as the main barriers.2525 Haulman A, Geronimo A, Chahwala A, Simmons Z. The use of telehealth to enhance care in als and other neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 2020;61(06):682–691. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26838
https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26838...
The field of neurology also adopted telehealth, including for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases.2626 Bertran Recasens B, Rubio MA. Neuromuscular Diseases Care in the Era of COVID-19. Front Neurol 2020; 11:588929. Doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.588929
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2020.58892...
, 2727 De Marchi F, Contaldi E, Magistrelli L, Cantello R, Comi C, Mazzini L. Telehealth in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Opportunities and Challenges for Patients and Physicians. Brain Sci 2021;11(02):237. Doi: 10.3390/brainsci11020237
https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11020237...
Telehealth services to patients with ALS increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many studies demonstrated its viability.1515 Andrews JA, Berry JD, Baloh RH, et al. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care and research in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities. Muscle Nerve 2020;62(02):182–186. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26989
https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26989...
, 1616 Capozzo R, Zoccolella S, Musio M, Barone R, Accogli M, Logroscino G. Telemedicine is a useful tool to deliver care to patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: results from Southern Italy. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020;21(7–8):542–548. Doi: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1773502
https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2020.17...
, 2828 Pinto S, Quintarelli S, Silani V. New technologies and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Which step forward rushed by the COVID-19 pandemic? J Neurol Sci 2020;418:117081. Doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117081
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2020.11708...
, 2929 De Marchi F, Sarnelli MF, Serioli M, et al; CANPALS Study Group. Telehealth approach for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: the experience during COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Neurol Scand 2021;143(05):489–496. Doi: 10.1111/ane.l3373
https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.l3373...

Teleconsultation benefits the follow-up and revaluations of patients with end-stage diseases, since they are not exposed to the hospital environment, and do not have to wait for consultations and suffer from fatigue, and have no need for transportation to a distant referral center. Some patients in the present study lived 354 km away from our center, which could represent a high cost for the family and public health system of the city. There have been reports in the literature of significant reductions in cost for patients, families, and the public health system due to teleconsultation.3030 Paganoni S, van de Rijn M, Drake K, et al. Adjusted cost analysis of video televisits for the care of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2019;60(02):147–154. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26606
https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26606...

Patients and caregivers reported the lack of privacy to discuss intimate issues or talk exclusively with the health professional as the main negative point. Another limitation was the lack of physical evaluation, which is relevant in cases in which the possible diagnosis requires regular physical revaluations to monitor new signs and symptoms. To minimize this limitation, the patients were asked to show and make some movements with their hands, arms, feet and legs so that the multidisciplinary team could better assess disease progression. In addition, patients were systematically asked about fasciculation and cramps.

Most patients in the present study had advanced ALS (that is, stage 4b on the King’s Staging),1818 Roche JC, Rojas-Garcia R, Scott KM, et al. A proposed staging system for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2012;135(Pt 3):847–852. Doi: 10.1093/brain/awr351
https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awr351...
corroborating the data on ALSFRS-R < 39 (74%) and use of non-invasive ventilation (54%). Thus, data on the disease severity among patients with ALS in the present study was consistent. Teleconsultations are complex for advanced ALS due to several clinical and symptom demands (such as sleep and mood disorders, drooling, chronic pain, spasms, weight loss, and respiratory dysfunctions).1313 Jackson CE, McVey AL, Rudnicki S, Dimachkie MM, Barohn RJ. Symptom Management and End-of-Life Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurol Clin 2015;33(04):889–908. Doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.010
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.01...
, 1414 Hobson EV, McDermott CJ. Supportive and symptomatic management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2016;12 (09):526–538. Doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.111
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.11...
Therefore, respiratory and medication adjustments were the most addressed topics in the present study.

Clinical emergencies were often addressed through phone calls or text messages (depending on each case). In these moments, instructions and changes in clinical approaches were performed to avoid negative outcomes. Thus, the Teleconsulta platform recorded a small number of emergency approaches.

Patients and caregivers reported teleconsultations as positive and satisfactory Also, teleconsultation enabled multidisciplinary care with lower risks and costs regarding transportation to reference centers. Thus, teleconsultation should be prioritized for patients with advanced diseases to discuss their cases with caregivers and the care team from the patient’s city.

The main limitation of the present study was the lack of a control group to compare the level of satisfaction between in-person consultations and teleconsultations.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the professionals of the neuromuscular disorders service at HUOL/UFRN.

References

  • 1
    Sood S, Mbarika V, Jugoo S, et al. What is telemedicine? A collection of 104 peer-reviewed perspectives and theoretical underpinnings. Telemed J E Health 2007;13(05):573–590. Doi: 10.1089/tmj.2006.0073
    » https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2006.0073
  • 2
    Howard IM, Kaufman MS. Telehealth applications for outpatients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders. Muscle Nerve 2018;58(04):475–485. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26115
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26115
  • 3
    Perednia DA, Allen A. Telemedicine technology and clinical applications. JAMA 1995;273(06):483–488
  • 4
    Wechsler LR, Demaerschalk BM, Schwamm LH, et al; American Heart Association Stroke Council Council on Epidemiology and Prevention Council on duality of Care and Outcomes Research. Telemedicine quality and outcomes in stroke: a scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American heart association/American stroke association. Stroke 2017;48(01):e3–e25. Doi: 10.1161/STR.0000000000000114
    » https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0000000000000114
  • 5
    Levine SR, Gorman M. “Telestroke”: the application of telemedicine for stroke. Stroke 1999;30(02):464–469. Doi: 10.1161/01.str.30.2.464
    » https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.30.2.464
  • 6
    Dicianno BE, Fairman AD, McCue M, et al. Feasibility of using mobile health to promote self-management in spina bifida. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2016;95(06):425–437. Doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000400
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000400
  • 7
    Dallolio L, Menarini M, China S, et al; THRIVE Project. Functional and clinical outcomes of telemedicine in patients with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008;89(12):2332–2341. Doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2008.06.012
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2008.06.012
  • 8
    Martinez RN, Hogan TP, Lones K, et al. Evaluation and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury through the implementation of clinical video telehealth: provider perspectives from the veterans health administration. PM R 2017;9(03):231–240. Doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.07.002
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2016.07.002
  • 9
    Lo MD, Gospe SM Jr. Telemedicine and Child Neurology. J Child Neurol 2019;34(01):22–26. Doi: 10.1177/0883073818807516
    » https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073818807516
  • 10
    Moccia M, Lanzillo R, Brescia Morra V, et al; Digital Technologies Web and Social Media Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology. Assessing disability and relapses in multiple sclerosis on tele-neurology. Neurol Sci 2020;41(06):1369–1371. Doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04470-x
    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04470-x
  • 11
    Vitacca M, Comini L, Tentorio M, et al. A pilot trial of telemedicineassisted, integrated care for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers. J Telemed Telecare 2010;16 (02):83-88. Doi: 10.1258/jtt.2009.090604
    » https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2009.090604
  • 12
    Pinto A, Almeida JP, Pinto S, Pereira J, Oliveira AG, de Carvalho M. Home telemonitoring of non-invasive ventilation decreases healthcare utilisation in a prospective controlled trial of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2010;81(11):1238–1242. Doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.206680
    » https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2010.206680
  • 13
    Jackson CE, McVey AL, Rudnicki S, Dimachkie MM, Barohn RJ. Symptom Management and End-of-Life Care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurol Clin 2015;33(04):889–908. Doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.010
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2015.07.010
  • 14
    Hobson EV, McDermott CJ. Supportive and symptomatic management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2016;12 (09):526–538. Doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2016.111
    » https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.111
  • 15
    Andrews JA, Berry JD, Baloh RH, et al. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care and research in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities. Muscle Nerve 2020;62(02):182–186. Doi: 10.1002/mus.26989
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26989
  • 16
    Capozzo R, Zoccolella S, Musio M, Barone R, Accogli M, Logroscino G. Telemedicine is a useful tool to deliver care to patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: results from Southern Italy. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020;21(7–8):542–548. Doi: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1773502
    » https://doi.org/10.1080/21678421.2020.1773502
  • 17
    Guedes K, Pereira C, Pavan K, Valério BC. Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of als Functional Rating Scale-Revised in Portuguese language. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2010;68(01):44–47. Doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2010000100010
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/s0004-282x2010000100010
  • 18
    Roche JC, Rojas-Garcia R, Scott KM, et al. A proposed staging system for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2012;135(Pt 3):847–852. Doi: 10.1093/brain/awr351
    » https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awr351
  • 19
    Kimura F, Fujimura C, Ishida S, et al. Progression rate of ALSFRS-R at time of diagnosis predicts survival time in ALS. Neurology 2006;66 (02):265–267. Doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000194316.91908.8a
    » https://doi.org/10.1212/01.wnl.0000194316.91908.8a
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    21 July 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    30 Nov 2022
  • Reviewed
    10 Jan 2023
  • Accepted
    15 Jan 2023
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