Twenty years of intrathecal baclofen therapy in Slovenia: a retrospective single-center analysis of complications.

Since the first implantation in July 2001, the intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy for patients with generalized spasticity has been used in Slovenia for 20 years. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the rates of different complications, especially if catheter-related complications were less frequent after the introduction of the coated catheter type in February 2013, and the potential correlation between higher baclofen doses and the incidence of complications. We retrospectively collected data from all patients in the registry during the period from 3 July 2001 to 31 December 2021. Among 138 patients (48 females), 120 patients had the first ITB system implanted at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Forty-three complications were reported in 38 patients (27%), with a total complication rate of 0.203/1000 days or 0.074/pump year. The most frequent was catheter-related (0.083/1000 days or 0.030/pump year), followed by skin-related (0.063/1000 days or 0.023/pump year) and pump-related complication (0.026/1000 days or 0.009/pump year). The incidence of catheter-related complications decreased significantly since the use of Ascenda type catheter: 14/7 complications per 88/147 implantations ( P  = 0.008). Patients with complications had a statistically significantly higher dose of baclofen: median 400 µg/24h vs. median 300 µg/24h ( P  = 0.016). Our retrospective analysis confirmed a significant decrease of catheter-related complications after the implementation of Ascenda type catheter in February 2013. Patients with a higher ITB dose had a statistically significantly higher incidence of complications. The total complication rate was a bit higher as previously reported in other studies, which is consistent with a long follow-up time.

Functional Status, Pain and Shoulder Mobility in Frozen Shoulder A Prospective Study.

The aim of our study was to assess the clinical course, disease duration, functional status dynamics and prevalence of elevated blood sugar values in patients with frozen shoulder (FS). We also tested two other hypotheses: a) Duration of symptoms before the beginning of therapy affects rehabilitation outcome and duration of symptoms. b) Postponed initiation of therapy affects the duration of sick leave.Our prospective study took place at the University Rehabilitation Institute-Republic of Slovenia (URI-RS) between April 2017 and March 2021. The sample comprised 26 patients with FS. We evaluated patients every 3 months for consecutive 2 years with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and by measuring the shoulder range of motion (ROM).During the first year, there was a statistically significant change in passive ROM, against no improvement in the second year of follow-up. Only one of the patients was a known diabetic, the majority (77 %) of patients had normal blood sugar values, and in the remaining patients, elevated levels were incidental findings. Twelve patients were on sick leave for more than 12 weeks.The study showed that the duration of sick leave did not corelate with time to treatment initiation. It is advisable to perform a fasting blood sugar test in patients with FS.

European expert consensus on improving patient selection for the management of disabling spasticity with intrathecal baclofen and/or botulinum toxin type A.

OBJECTIVE: To develop an algorithm for the selection of adults with disabling spasticity for treatment with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) and/or botulinum toxin type A (BoNT A). METHODS: A European Advisory Board of 4 neurologists and 4 rehabilitation specialists performed a literature review on ITB and BoNT A treatment for disabling spasticity. An online survey was sent to 125 physicians and 13 non-physician spasticity experts. Information on their current clinical practice and level of agreement on proposed selection criteria was used to inform algorithm design. Consensus was considered reached when ≥75% of respondents agreed or were neutral. RESULTS: A total of 79 experts from 17 countries completed the on-line survey (57%). Agreement was reached that patients with multi-segmental or generalized disabling spasticity refractory to oral drugs are the best candidates for ITB (96.1% consensus), while those with focal/segmental disabling spasticity are ideal candidates for BoNT A (98.7% consensus). In addition the following are good candidates for ITB (% consensus): bilateral disabling spasticity affecting lower limbs only (97.4%), bilateral (100%) or unilateral (90.9%) disabling spasticity affecting lower limbs and trunk, and unilateral or bilateral disabling spasticity affecting upper and lower extremities (96.1%). CONCLUSION: This algorithm will support the management of adult patients with disabling spasticity by aiding patient selection for ITB and/or BoNT A treatments.

Five years after development of the national disability, health and rehabilitation plan for Ukraine: Achievements and challenges.

In 2015, technical consultation to support development of the National Disability, Health and Rehabilitation Plan in Ukraine was carried out by the Rehabilitation Advisory Team of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. Recommendations for actions and projects to improve rehabilitation services within the healthcare system in Ukraine were developed, proposed and implemented. The achieve-ments in the subsequent 5 years include establishing, training and enabling employment at health-care facilities for new rehabilitation professionals (physical and rehabilitation medicine physi-cians, physical therapists, occupational therapists), commencing implementation of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), and increasing rehabilitation knowledge among Ukrainian communities and decision-makers. The main challenges include inappropriate healthcare legislation for developing modern rehabilitation services, gaps in the clinical environment and quality control for training rehabilitation professionals, and the slow pace of implementation of the ICF. A gen-eral facilitator is the ongoing healthcare reform in Ukraine, especially its continuation to secondary and tertiary healthcare levels. Future high-priority activ-ities will include amendments to basic healthcare legislation, and introducing a bio-psycho-social approach for the provision of rehabilitation services at all healthcare levels and all rehabilitation treatment phases, starting with the most debilitating health conditions. It will be important to continue collaboration with European and international partners.

Up to 2.2 million people experiencing disability suffer collateral damage each day of COVID-19 lockdown in Europe.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is having a great impact on health services. Patients not receiving care due to closure of outpatient services suffer a collateral damage. Our aim was to provide first data on impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing disability in Europe. METHODS: We developed an estimation from a survey and publicly available data. Thirty-eight countries have been inquired through the European Bodies of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine - the rehabilitation medical specialty. The nine questions of the survey focused on March 31st, 2020. We used the following indicators: for inpatients, acute and rehabilitative hospital beds; for outpatients, missing uniform European data, we used information from Italy, Belgium and the UK, and estimated for Europe basing on population, number of rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists, and people with self-reported limitations. RESULTS: Thirty-five countries (92%) including 99% of the population (809.9 million) answered. Stop of admissions to rehabilitation, early discharge and reduction of activities involved 194,800 inpatients in 10 countries. Outpatient activities stopped for 87%, involving 318,000 patients per day in Italy, Belgium and the UK, leading to an estimate range of 1.3-2.2 million in Europe. Seven countries reported experiences on rehabilitation for acute COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 emergency is having a huge impact on rehabilitation of people experiencing disability. This may lead to future cumulative effects due to reduced functional outcome and consequent increased burden of care. When the emergency will fade, rehabilitation demand will probably grow due to an expected return wave of these not well treated patients, but probably also of post-COVID-19 patients' needs.

Role of diversity in assembling of rehabilitation teams in Central Europe.

BACKGROUND: Multiprofessional teamwork in physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) allows achieving patient-centered goals in accordance with the assumptions of the bio-psycho-social model of functioning. Team composition and methods of collaboration depend of the specificity of goals to be achieved, as well local contextual factors. International comparative studies on rehabilitation teamwork are lacking, despite data on how teams differ between countries are crucial for the process of harmonization of PRM practice across Europe. AIM: To compare models of collaboration within rehabilitation teams in Central Europe. DESIGN: A cross-sectional explorative study. SETTING: The data were collected in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia between February and June 2018. POPULATION: PRM physicians. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire inquiring of rehabilitation teamwork details was spread through national PRM societies, and other organizations associating PRM physicians. An ordered logit regression was applied to analyze the results. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 455 respondents. Significant differences between the studied countries in the composition of rehabilitation teams and frequencies of team meetings were detected. In the analyzed population of PRM physicians, we found positive associations between the chance of participation in team meetings and working in a hospital, the amount of time devoted to PRM practice, and older age. The chance for patients and caregivers to participate in rehabilitation team meetings was correlated with PRM physician's hospital practice, activity as a PRM teacher, older age and devoting more time to PRM practice. Country specificities of rehabilitation team content were analyzed with regards to local economic, legal, and historical backgrounds, and availability of human resources. Underrepresentation of key professionals (e.g. occupational therapists, orthotists/prosthetists), inadequate distribution of professionals in healthcare and as well as outdated educational systems in some countries may affect the efficacy of the comprehensive care in rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Central European countries differ in rehabilitation teamwork with regard to the contribution of professionals, meeting frequencies, and participation of patients and caregivers. Well-designed studies on teamwork models delineating ways to improve teamwork efficacy are in demand. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Between-country diversity of rehabilitation team content should be considered while planning activities aimed at European harmonization of PRM practice.

Evidence-based position paper on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine professional practice for Adults with Acquired Brain Injury. The European PRM position (UEMS PRM Section).

BACKGROUND: Acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain that occurs after birth caused either by a traumatic or by a nontraumatic injury. The rehabilitation process following ABI should be performed by a multi-professional team, working in an interdisciplinary way, with the aim of organizing a comprehensive and holistic approach to persons with every severity of ABI. This Evidence Based Position Paper represents the official position of the European Union through the UEMS Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) Section and designates the professional role of PRM physicians for people with ABI. The aim was to formulate recommendations on the PRM physician's professional practice for persons with ABI in order to promote their functioning and enhance quality of life. METHODS: This paper has been developed according to the methodology defined by the Professional Practice Committee of the UEMS-PRM Section: a systematic literature search has been performed in PubMed and Core Clinical Journals. On the basis of the selected papers, recommendations have been made as a result of five Delphi rounds. RESULTS: The literature review as well as thirty-one recommendations are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The expert consensus is that structured, comprehensive and holistic rehabilitation program delivered by the multi-professional team, working in an interdisciplinary way, with the leadership and coordination of the PRM physician, is likely to be effective, especially for those with severe disability after brain injury.

The role of Interdisciplinary Teams in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

The increasing complexity of healthcare provision and medical interventions requires collaboration between large numbers of health professionals. The nature of the interactions between team members determines whether the pattern of working is described as multi-, inter- or trans-disciplinary. Such team-working is an important part of the specialty of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. Grounded in group behaviour theory, team-working demonstrates that joint aims, trust and willingness to share knowledge, can improve patient outcomes, including mortality. The synthesis of individual skills and knowledge and working to common patient goals, has shown benefit in many conditions. This evidence base is perhaps best in stroke, but has been demonstrated in many other conditions, including acquired brain injury, back pain, mental health, cardiopulmonary conditions, chronic pain and hip fracture. There are also considerable benefits to staff and health organizations in terms of outcome and staff morale. This review paper examines the evidence for the benefit of such team-working and for the recommendations of team-working in rehabilitation services.

Clinical Assessment of Spasticity in People With Spinal Cord Damage: Recommendations From the Ability Network, an International Initiative.

A thorough assessment of the extent and severity of spasticity, and its effect on functioning, is central to the effective management of spasticity in persons with spinal cord damage (SCD). These individuals however do not always receive adequate assessment of their spasticity. Inadequate assessment compromises management when the effect of spasticity and/or need for intervention are not fully recognized. Assessment is also central to determining treatment efficacy. A barrier to spasticity assessment has been the lack of consensus on clinical and functional measures suitable for routine clinical practice. To extend on existing work, a working group of the Ability Network identified and consolidated information on possible measures, and then synthesized and formulated findings into practical recommendations for assessing spasticity and its effect on function in persons with SCD. Sixteen clinical and functional measures that have been used for this purpose were identified using a targeted literature review. These were mapped to the relevant domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to assess the breadth of their coverage; coverage of many domains was found to be lacking, suggesting a focus for future work. The advantages, disadvantages, and usefulness of the measures were assessed using a range of criteria, with a focus on usefulness and feasibility in routine clinical practice. Based on this evaluation, a selection of measures suitable for initial and follow-up assessments are recommended. The recommendations are intended to have broad applicability to a variety of health care settings where people with SCD are managed.

Responding to the World Health Organization Gobal Disability Action Plan in Ukraine: Developing a National Disability, Health and Rehabilitation Plan.

In order to support the development of a National Disability, Health and Rehabilitation Plan (NDHRP) for Ukraine, a technical consultation was carried out by a Rehabilitation Advisory Team (RAT) of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM) in 2015. The consultation was based on assessment of the situation of persons with disabilities and the rehabilitation system in Ukraine. Recommendations for activities and projects to improve rehabilitation services within the healthcare system were developed and proposed. In order to reach consensus on the recommendations, dialogues were held with different stakeholders, including the Ministry of Public Health. The recommendations included: coordination of disability and rehabilitation policies within the Ministry of Public Health and among other involved ministries; translation and adaptation of international definitions of functioning, disability, and assessment tools into Ukrainian; data collection on the epidemiology of disability and the need for rehabilitation; implementation of health-related rehabilitation services; and implementation of international definitions and curricula of rehabilitation professions. The mission was regarded as successful and one year later a few changes had been adopted by the Ukrainian government. Further action based on this research is necessary. It will be important to track the changes and evaluate the results after an appropriate period of time.

Optimizing the Management of Disabling Spasticity Following Spinal Cord Damage: The Ability Network-An International Initiative.

Optimizing the treatment of disabling spasticity in persons with spinal cord damage is hampered by a lack of consensus regarding the use of acceptable definitions of spasticity and disabling spasticity, and the relative absence of decision tools such as clinical guidelines and concise algorithms to support decision-making within the broader clinical community. Many people with spinal cord damage are managed outside specialist centers, and variations in practice result in unequal access to best practice despite equal need. In order to address these issues, the Ability Network-an international panel of clinical experts-was initiated to develop management algorithms to guide and standardize the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of outcomes of persons with spinal cord damage and disabling spasticity. To achieve this, consensus was sought on common definitions through facilitated, in-person meetings. To guide patient selection, an in-depth review of the available tools was performed and expert consensus sought to develop an appropriate instrument. Literature reviews are guiding the selection and development of tools to evaluate treatment outcomes (body functions, activity, participation, quality of life) as perceived by people with spinal cord damage and disabling spasticity, and their caregivers and clinicians. Using this approach, the Ability Network aims to facilitate treatment decisions that take into account the following: the impact of disabling spasticity on health status, patient preferences, treatment goals, tolerance for adverse events, and in cases of totally dependent persons, caregiver burden.