Telemedicine for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian ALS referral center experience

Vasta, Rosario; Moglia, Cristina; D’Ovidio, Fabrizio; Pede, Francesca Di; Mattei, Filippo De; Cabras, Sara; Peotta, Laura; Iazzolino, Barbara; Giusiano, Silvia; Manera, Umberto; Palumbo, Francesca; Bombaci, Alessandro; Torrieri, Maria Claudia; Ilardi, Antonio; Mastro, Enza; Arcari, Martina; Solero, Luca; Grassano, Maurizio; Daviddi, Margherita; Matteoni, Enrico; Salamone, Paolina; Fuda, Giuseppe; Canosa, Antonio; Chiò, Adriano; Calvo, Andrea

doi:10.1080/21678421.2020.1820043

Cited by 32 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Increased susceptibility to COVID-19 or outcome severity in relation to ALS has not been reported. Currently, research focuses on the effect of COVID-19 on telemedicine or emotional distress [ [139] , [140] , [141] , [142] , [143] , [144] ]. A primary indirect effect of the pandemic on ALS is the effect on their mental health as studies found that depression, anxiety, and self-awareness were increased due to the pandemic [ 139 , 144 ].…”

Section: Sars-cov-2 Infection Of the Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 mediated neuroinflammation and the impact of COVID-19 in neurological disorders

Amruta

Chastain

Paz

et al. 2021

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews

107

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Section: Sars-cov-2 Infection Of the Nervous Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 mediated neuroinflammation and the impact of COVID-19 in neurological disorders

Amruta

Chastain

Paz

et al. 2021

Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews

107

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“…Firstly, the group of Logroscino [ 83 ] showed that, even with some limitations (e.g., refusal of video interaction), telemedicine was effective and successful for people with ALS, and most patients would like to continue to be included in remote evaluation programs. Similarly, two ALS centers in Northern Italy [ 84 , 85 ], which were located in one of the areas most affected by the pandemic, used the telemedicine service, both via phone call and online platform, for monitoring patients. De Marchi et al [ 85 , 86 ] reported that the multidisciplinary approach currently used with ALS patients could be reproduced with the telehealth approach.…”

Section: Telemonitoring In Neurodegenerative Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telehealth in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Opportunities and Challenges for Patients and Physicians

et al. 2021

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Telehealth, by definition, is distributing health-related services while using electronic technologies. This narrative Review describes the technological health services (telemedicine and telemonitoring) for delivering care in neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis, among others. This paper aims to illustrate this approach’s primary experience and application, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses, with the goal of understanding which could be the most useful application for each one, in order to facilitate telehealth improvement and use in standard clinical practice. We also described the potential role of the COVID-19 pandemic to speed up this service’s use, avoiding a sudden interruption of medical care.

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“…However, to date, in Italy, its adoption as standard care is still preliminary 14 . Two recent studies published by Italian groups 15,16 showed, even with some limitations (eg, refusal of video interaction, preference for a face‐to‐face visit), that the delivery of care via telemedicine was effective and successful for people with ALS in the dramatic and sudden crisis brought on by the COVID‐19 outbreak.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Telehealth approach for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: the experience during COVID‐19 pandemic

et al. 2020

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Background and objective Specialized multidisciplinary ALS care has been shown to extend survival and improve patient's and caregiver's quality of life. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, the management of patients suddenly changed and telemedicine has been proven to be as effective as outpatient care. We elaborate the experience with Telemedicine of a Tertiary ALS Center from an Italian geographical area with high infectious risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods 19 patients were evaluated in telemedicine by a multidisciplinary team including a neurologist (clinical evaluation, intercurrent events, and drug prescriptions); a dietician (diet and weight monitoring); a psychologist (psychological assessment and support); and a physiotherapist (physiotherapy treatment and device prescription). Telemedicine was performed using the online platform “IoMT Connected Care Platform (Ticuro Reply).” Results All patients reported a positive perception of talking face to face with healthcare professionals and were satisfied with how the team understood their problems. During video televisits, there was a change in the patient's medication regimen in 11/19; 2/19 required pneumological evaluation and started NIV; and 9/16 patients required prescription of devices. The mean monthly decline of ALSFRS‐R before televisit was 0.88 (SD 1.17) and during televisit of 0.49 (SD 0.75). Bodyweight and daily caloric content remain stable. Reduction in HADS scores and stability in ALSAQ‐40 were observed. Discussion Our study positively reproduced the multidisciplinary approach currently used with ALS patients, trying to stabilize the functional and metabolic status and improving the psychological one. Future directions include a personalized telemedicine program according to the patient's needs.

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Telemedicine for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian ALS referral center experience

Cited by 32 publications

References 9 publications

SARS-CoV-2 mediated neuroinflammation and the impact of COVID-19 in neurological disorders

SARS-CoV-2 mediated neuroinflammation and the impact of COVID-19 in neurological disorders

Telehealth in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Opportunities and Challenges for Patients and Physicians

Telehealth approach for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: the experience during COVID‐19 pandemic

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