Experience with telemedicine in a multi-disciplinary ALS clinic

ALS Motor Observational Telemedicine Objective Rasch-Built Assessment: A Quantitative Scale for the Era of Teleneurology

Background and Objectives

Telemedicine has become a mainstay of ALS clinical care, but there is currently no standardized approach for assessing and tracking changes to the neurologic examination in this format. The goal of this study was to create a standardized telemedicine-based motor examination scale to objectively and reliably track ALS progression and use Rasch methodology to validate the scale and improve its psychometric properties.

Methods

A draft telemedicine examination scale with 25 items assessing movement in the bulbar muscles, neck, trunk, and extremities was created by an ALS expert panel, incorporating input from patient advisors. This prospective, observational study was approved by the Emory IRB, and participants provided informed consent. Adults with a diagnosis of ALS who were able to undergo a video telemedicine evaluation by an Emory clinician were eligible for participation. Rasch analyses were performed to determine the final item responses and optimize the scoring structure. Test-retest reliability was assessed in a subset of participants through 2 separate examinations by 2 different examiners within a 7-day period. Construct validity was assessed by calculating correlations with simultaneously administered Rasch-built Overall ALS Disability Scale (ROADS) and revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R).

Results

The ALS Motor Observational Telemedicine Objective Rasch-built assessment was administered to a total of 258 PALS representing the full spectrum of a typical ALS clinic population. After performing Rasch analyses, 3 items were removed and item response categories were consolidated for 8 items. The final 22-item ALS MOTOR scale conformed to Rasch model criteria. The inter-rater reliability was 95%. The ALS MOTOR had a 0.78 (95% CI 0.72-0.83) correlation with ALSFRS-R and 0.81 (95% CI 0.76-0.85) correlation with ROADS.

Discussion

The ALS MOTOR is a novel, accessible tool for remotely and objectively tracking ALS progression for both clinical care and research studies. Use of Rasch methodology for scale validation allowed for optimization of scale psychometric properties, which is particularly important when using the sum score as an overall outcome measure. Longitudinal and external validation studies are ongoing.

Examining the perspectives of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialists on conducting AAC evaluations with people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis via telehealth

The purpose of this study was to explore what speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who are AAC specialists see as advantages and disadvantages of providing AAC services via telehealth, how well tele-AAC assessments align with guidelines for in-person assessments, and how SLPs' perspectives of tele-AAC services changed post-COVID. Fifteen SLPs who are AAC specialists and experienced working with people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis watched videos of speech generating device (SGD) assessments conducted via telehealth for eight people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Using a checklist based on the AAC Clinical Assessment Project (AAC-CAP), the SLPs rated how comparable remote assessment was to in-person assessment, and described advantages and challenges. Across checklist elements, most participants rated AAC assessment via telemedicine as "same/comparable" to in-person assessment. The most common advantages of tele-AAC assessment were that tele-AAC was more functional, increased care partner availability, and increased clients' comfort at home. The most common challenges were technical difficulties and a limited comprehensive assessment due to the remote modality. Tele-AAC should be considered a viable assessment option as it may increase equitable access to care for more people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Tools such as the AAC-CAP may help generalist SLPs increase their comfort and proficiency providing AAC services.

A recent survey of augmentative and alternative communication use and service delivery experiences of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the United States

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to explore and describe current trends in the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) use and service delivery experiences of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) in the U.S.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were collected from 216 PALS via an anonymous online questionnaire in 2021.

RESULTS

Over 70% of participants reported at least some detectable speech disturbance, and approximately half used aided communication during face-to-face interactions. Among respondents with severe speech impairment, over 90% reported using speech-generating devices, and just over half reported using low-tech AAC. Most participants had met with an SLP to discuss speech and communication, but varied in both timing of the initial intervention and frequency of ongoing intervention. Fewer than half reported that their family members or other important people had received education or support related to communication for PALS. Participants also shared their use of and experiences with telephone and video calls, access methods, mounting systems, word prediction and stored phrases, and message and voice banking.

CONCLUSIONS

Results highlight the importance of early referral for AAC intervention, ongoing re-evaluation and treatment, involvement of communication partners and support for multimodal communication and adaptation to changing needs.

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

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.

Outpatient neuropalliative care

Palliative care is an approach to patient care that focuses on enhancing quality of life through relief of physical, emotional, and spiritual sources of distress and patient-tailored discussions about goals of care. The palliative care approach can be delivered by any provider, and can occur alongside disease-modifying therapies. For patients with a serious neurologic illness or a neurodegenerative disease, neuropalliative care is a growing field focused on providing high-quality palliative care to neurology patients. There are three models of neuropalliative care delivery in the outpatient setting: a consultative model with a palliative care specialist, an integrated model with an embedded palliative care provider, and a primary palliative care model with the patient's neurology provider. The main components of an outpatient palliative care visit include symptom assessment and treatment, communication about serious illness, advance care planning, and assessment of caregiver needs. For patients with advanced illness, palliative care can help facilitate timely referral to hospice. Through a palliative care approach, outpatient care for patients with serious neurologic disease or neurodegenerative disease can focus on the issues most important to the patient, promote improved illness understanding and planning, and can improve the overall quality of care.

Patient preference for virtual versus in-person visits in neuromuscular clinical practice

Introduction/Aims

It is unknown if patients with neuromuscular diseases prefer in‐person or virtual telemedicine visits. We studied patient opinions and preference on virtual versus in‐person visits, and the factors influencing such preferences.

Methods

Telephone surveys, consisting of 11 questions, of patients from 10 neuromuscular centers were completed.

Results

Five hundred and twenty surveys were completed. Twenty‐six percent of respondents preferred virtual visits, while 50% preferred in‐person visits. Sixty‐four percent reported physical interaction as “very important.” For receiving a new diagnosis, 55% preferred in‐person vs 35% reporting no preference. Forty percent were concerned about a lack of physical examination vs 20% who were concerned about evaluating vital signs. Eighty four percent reported virtual visits were sufficiently private. Sixty eight percent did not consider expenses a factor in their preference. Although 92% were comfortable with virtual communication technology, 55% preferred video communications, and 19% preferred phone calls. Visit preference was not significantly associated with gender, diagnosis, disease severity, or symptom management. Patients who were concerned about a lack of physical exam or assessment of vitals had significantly higher odds of selecting in‐person visits than no preference.

Discussion

Although neither technology, privacy, nor finance burdened patients in our study, more patients preferred in‐person visits than virtual visits and 40% were concerned about a lack of physical examination. Interactions that occur with in‐person encounters had high importance for patients, reflecting differences in the perception of the patient‐physician relationship between virtual and in‐person visits.

Evidence-based position paper on Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine practice for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease that affects both upper and lower motor neurons and is fatal in its course. This evidence-based position paper represents the official position of the UEMS PRM Section. The aim of the paper is to define the role of the physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) physician and PRM professional practice for people with ALS. A systematic review of the literature and a consensus procedure by means of a Delphi process have been performed involving the delegates of all European countries represented in the UEMS PRM Section. The systematic literature review is reported together with thirty-two recommendations resulting from the Delphi procedure. The responsibility of the PRM physician is functional assessment of persons with ALS and delivering the optimal and most effective PRM program of care. The rehabilitation program of patients with ALS should be delivered and monitored by the multiprofessional team, with the PRM physician as principal coordinator.

[Not Available]

The COVID epidemic has changed the way monitoring and management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is organized. Teleconsultations (TLC) have become essential to maintain medical surveillance. The practice of TLC required adapting the computer system to the patients’ disability and the intervention of a TLC assistant professional with the ALS patient. When the confinement was lifted, many patients asked to maintain this monitoring modality. Nevertheless, the experience raised several ethical questions. This article raises four sets of questions based on the analysis of a clinical case. These questions concern the relevance of TLC in the ALS patient’s care pathway and the quality of information provided to the patient about it, the respect of patients’ rights during TLC, the quality of the caregiver-patient relationship and finally the impact of TLC on the healthcare system.

Home-monitoring of vital capacity in people with a motor neuron disease

Background

Home-monitoring of spirometry has the potential to improve care for patients with a motor neuron disease (MND) by enabling early detection of respiratory dysfunction and reducing travel burden. Our aim was to evaluate the validity and feasibility of home-monitoring vital capacity (VC) in patients with MND.

Methods

We included 33 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy or primary lateral sclerosis who completed a 12-week home-monitoring protocol, consisting of 4-weekly unsupervised home assessments of VC and a functional rating scale. At baseline, during a home visit, patients/caregivers were trained in performing a VC test, and the investigator performed a supervised VC test, which was repeated at final follow-up during a second home visit. Validity of the unsupervised VC tests was evaluated by the differences between supervised and unsupervised VC tests, and through Bland–Altman 95% limits-of-agreement. Feasibility was assessed by means of a survey of user-experiences.

Results

The 95% limits-of-agreement were [− 14.3; 11.7] %predicted VC, and 88% of unsupervised VC tests fell within 10%predicted of supervised VC. 88% of patients experienced VC testing as easy and not burdensome, however, 15% patients did not think their VC test was performed as well as in the clinic. 94% of patients would like home-monitoring of VC in MND care.

Discussion

Unsupervised VC testing at home, with prior face-to-face training, is a valid and time-efficient method for the remote monitoring of respiratory function, and well-accepted by patients with MND and their caregivers.

Development of an Interdisciplinary Telehealth Care Model in a Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Center

Background: People with cystic fibrosis (PCF) have unique physical and emotional needs, which are best met through interdisciplinary care (IDC). In the midst of the pandemic, our center aimed to begin a telehealth care model with an objective to increase successful care visits from baseline of 0-95% by June 26, 2020, including meeting cystic fibrosis (CF) care standards of IDC visits that are coproduced through agenda setting with PCF. Methods: Shifting IDC for pediatric CF patients to telehealth was part of a quality improvement initiative. Our team used asynchronous virtual visits (VVs), with the IDC team members' VVs done on different days than the physician's. Multiple plan-do-study-act cycles were completed to address evolving telehealth needs, including IDC team member flow logistics, communication with PCF, and surveying PCF for the patient perspective. Rates of IDC and agenda setting were measured from March 16, 2020 to June 26, 2020. Results: IDC VVs were at 86% in March 2020 with fluctuations until mid-May when we reached 100% and achieved sustainability. Agenda setting was reached at 100% and maintained. With continued effort, an additional 46.3% of PCF registered for the patient portal, totaling 90.6% with access. Our survey revealed 100% of PCF were able to see IDC team members that they needed to, with 87% "extremely satisfied" and 13% "somewhat satisfied" with their telehealth experience. Conclusions: Successful telehealth in pediatric CF IDC can be achieved through continuous communication, optimal utilization of available technologies, and may help foster unique opportunities to help improve health outcomes.

Expanding Availability of Speech-Generating Device Evaluation and Treatment to People With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pALS) Through Telepractice: Perspectives of pALS and Communication Partners

Purpose To examine the experiences of people with ALS (pALS) and their communication partners (cALS) regarding receiving speech-generating device (SGD) evaluation and treatment via telepractice. Method Eight pALS along with a primary cALS participated in telepractice SGD evaluation and treatment with an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) specialist and representatives from multiple SGD vendors. Participants were interviewed postevaluation and post-SGD training to examine their experiences. Mixed methods data were collected through Likert scale responses and qualitative interviews. Results Telepractice SGD evaluation and training were feasible and resulted in all pALS receiving SGDs they were able to use to communicate. In both Likert rating items and qualitative interviews, participants rated the telepractice experience very highly in terms of giving them access to AAC services via an AAC specialist that they would not have otherwise been able to access, and doing so in a format that was possible given their limitations in mobility, endurance, and caregiver availability. Suggestions for improving the telepractice experience were provided. Conclusions Telepractice should be considered as an option to provide vital SGD services to patients who are geographically remote, mobility impaired, unable to leave their home, experience fatigue with travel, or otherwise would not have access to these specialized services. Telepractice allows patients to preserve their time and energy for the assessment and treatment sessions, resulting in perhaps deeper and more frequent engagement in evaluation and training. Telepractice could serve as an alternative to outpatient, in-person evaluations, or be utilized in conjunction with in-person appointments. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.15094257.

Management of patients with neuromuscular disorders at the time of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

The novel Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed several challenges for neuromuscular disorder (NMD) patients. The risk of a severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection is increased in all but the mildest forms of NMDs. High-risk conditions include reduced airway clearance due to oropharyngeal weakness and risk of worsening with fever, fasting or infection Isolation requirements may have an impact on treatment regimens administered in hospital settings, such as nusinersen, glucosidase alfa, intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab infusions. In addition, specific drugs for SARS-CoV2 infection under investigation impair neuromuscular function significantly; chloroquine and azithromycin are not recommended in myasthenia gravis without available ventilatory support and prolonged prone positioning may influence options for treatment. Other therapeutics may affect specific NMDs (metabolic, mitochondrial, myotonic diseases) and experimental approaches for Coronavirus disease 2019 may be offered "compassionately" only after consulting the patient's NMD specialist. In parallel, the reorganization of hospital and outpatient services may change the management of non-infected NMD patients and their caregivers, favouring at-distance approaches. However, the literature on the validation of telehealth in this subgroup of patients is scant. Thus, as the first wave of the pandemic is progressing, clinicians and researchers should address these crucial open issues to ensure adequate caring for NMD patients. This manuscript summarizes available evidence so far and provides guidance for both general neurologists and NMD specialists dealing with NMD patients in the time of COVID-19.

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

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.

Short-term outcomes in pediatric and adolescent patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events seen by telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) are a type of Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder that present with events that appear epileptic but are not associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our PNEE clinic switched to a telemedicine format, and we present here our experience with providing care to children and adolescents with PNEE in this format.

METHODS

The multidisciplinary clinic shifted to a telemedicine platform in March 2020 with the same joint provider format. Follow-up phone calls are completed at one and three months following the visit. Data are presented with descriptive statistics. Referral volume and outcomes data are compared to historical patients, including rates of diagnosis acceptance, linkage to counseling, and change in event frequency.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients were scheduled to be seen via telemedicine or hybrid visits from March through June, twenty completed their visits. Sixteen (70%) were reached for follow-up at one month. Of those reached, twelve (75%) accepted the diagnosis, eight (50%) were linked with counseling, and fourteen (88%) with improvement in event frequency. Of the sixteen reached at three months, eleven (69%) had accepted the diagnosis, ten (63%) were linked with counseling, and all but two reported improvement in event frequency. In comparison, the previously published results showed 3-month rates of 75% of patients accepting the diagnosis, 76% linked with counseling, and 75% with improvement in event frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Video telemedicine visits are a feasible and effective way to provide care for children and adolescents with PNEE. At 3 months, patients seen by telemedicine had similar acceptance rates, decreased connection to counseling, and increased rate of improvement in event frequency. This study suggests telemedicine may have some benefits over traditional clinic visits, such as improved show rates and access to clinic; so should be considered a reasonable alternative to in-person visits.

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

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.

Telehealth for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Multiple Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis are neurodegenerative diseases requiring interdisciplinary rehabilitation services to maximize function, manage symptoms, prevent complications, and promote higher quality of life. Distance and disability may pose barriers to access of subspecialized care. Telehealth is one solution to facilitate access and was rapidly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article details the utility of telehealth services across the disease spectrum-including to establish a diagnosis, monitor progression for ongoing management, and identify and manage symptoms and provide therapy interventions. The challenges and promise of telehealth services for clinical care and research will be explored.

New technologies and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Which step forward rushed by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fast-progressive neurodegenerative disease leading to progressive physical immobility with usually normal or mild cognitive and/or behavioural involvement. Many patients are relatively young, instructed, sensitive to new technologies, and professionally active when developing the first symptoms. Older patients usually require more time, encouragement, reinforcement and a closer support but, nevertheless, selecting user-friendly devices, provided earlier in the course of the disease, and engaging motivated carers may overcome many technological barriers. ALS may be considered a model for neurodegenerative diseases to further develop and test new technologies. From multidisciplinary teleconsults to telemonitoring of the respiratory function, telemedicine has the potentiality to embrace other fields, including nutrition, physical mobility, and the interaction with the environment. Brain-computer interfaces and eye tracking expanded the field of augmentative and alternative communication in ALS but their potentialities go beyond communication, to cognition and robotics. Virtual reality and different forms of artificial intelligence present further interesting possibilities that deserve to be investigated. COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented opportunity to speed up the development and implementation of new technologies in clinical practice, improving the daily living of both ALS patients and carers. The present work reviews the current technologies for ALS patients already in place or being under evaluation with published publications, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis care and research in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and opportunities

Coronavirus disease 2019 has created unprecedented challenges for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) clinical care and research in the United States. Traditional evaluations for making an ALS diagnosis, measuring progression, and planning interventions rely on in‐person visits that may now be unsafe or impossible. Evidence‐ and experience‐based treatment options, such as multidisciplinary team care, feeding tubes, wheelchairs, home health, and hospice, have become more difficult to obtain and in some places are unavailable. In addition, the pandemic has impacted ALS clinical trials by impairing the ability to obtain measurements for trial eligibility, to monitor safety and efficacy outcomes, and to dispense study drug, as these also often rely on in‐person visits. We review opportunities for overcoming some of these challenges through telemedicine and novel measurements. These can reoptimize ALS care and research in the current setting and during future events that may limit travel and face‐to‐face interactions.

The Use of Telehealth to Enhance Care in ALS and other Neuromuscular Disorders

Telehealth has the potential to improve the efficiency of healthcare while reducing the burden on patients and caregivers. Encounters can be synchronous or asynchronous. When used for care of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by individual health care providers or by a multidisciplinary team, synchronous telehealth is feasible, acceptable, may produce outcomes comparable to those of in-person care, and is cost effective. Individuals with ALS who use telehealth tend to have lower physical and respiratory function and to live farther from an ALS clinic than those who exclusively attend in-person clinic visits. Asynchronous telehealth can be used as a substitute full multidisciplinary visits, or for remote monitoring of pulmonary function, gait/falls, and speech. Barriers to implementing telehealth on a wider scale include disparities in access to technology and challenges surrounding medical licensure and billing, but these are being addressed.

A digital embrace to blunt the curve of COVID19 pandemic

Digital health, virtual care, telehealth, and telemedicine are all terms often used interchangeably to refer to the practice of care delivered from a distance. Because virtual care collapses the barriers of time and distance, it is ideal for providing care that is patient-centered, lower cost, more convenient and at greater productivity. All these factors make virtual care tools indispensable elements in the COVID19 response. In this perspective, we offer implementation guidance and policy insights relevant to the use of virtual care tools to meet the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic.

The current use of telehealth in ALS care and the barriers to and facilitators of implementation: a systematic review

Objective: We aimed to provide an overview of telehealth used in the care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and identify the barriers to and facilitators of its implementation. Methods: We searched Pubmed and Embase to identify relevant articles. Full-text articles with original research reporting on the use of telehealth in ALS care, were included. Data were synthesized using the Consolidation Framework for Implementation Research. Two authors independently screened articles based on the inclusion criteria. Results: Sixteen articles were included that investigated three types of telehealth: Videoconferencing, home-based self-monitoring and remote NIV monitoring. Telehealth was mainly used by patients with respiratory impairment and focused on monitoring respiratory function. Facilitators for telehealth implementation were a positive attitude of patients (and caregivers) toward telehealth and the provision of training and ongoing support. Healthcare professionals were more likely to have a negative attitude toward telehealth, due to the lack of personal evaluation/contact and technical issues; this was a known barrier. Other important barriers to telehealth were lack of reimbursement and cost-effectiveness analyses. Barriers and facilitators identified in this review correspond to known determinants found in other healthcare settings. Conclusions: Our findings show that telehealth in ALS care is well-received by patients and their caregivers. Healthcare professionals, however, show mixed experiences and perceive barriers to telehealth use. Challenges related to finance and legislation may hinder telehealth implementation in ALS care. Future research should report the barriers and facilitators of implementation and determine the cost-effectiveness of telehealth.

Process evaluation and exploration of telehealth in motor neuron disease in a UK specialist centre

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the processes involved in using a novel digitally enabled healthcare system (telehealth in motor neuron disease (TiM)) in people living with motor neuron disease (MND) and their informal carers. We examined TiM implementation, potential mechanisms of impact and contextual factors that might influence TiM implementation or impact.

DESIGN

An 18-month, single-centre process evaluation within a randomised, pilot and feasibility study.

INTERVENTION

TiM plus usual care versus usual care alone.

SETTING

A specialist UK MND care centre.

PARTICIPANTS

40 patients with MND and 37 primary informal carers.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient, carer and staff outcomes and experiences using semistructured interviews. Descriptive data on implementation and use of TiM.

RESULTS

The TiM was acceptable and accessible to patients, carers and staff. Intervention uptake and adherence were good: 14 (70%) patients completed a TiM session at least fortnightly. Barriers to TiM use (such as technology experience and disability) were overcome with well-designed technology and face-to-face training. Reported potential benefits of TiM included improved communication and care coordination, reassurance, identification of complications and the potential for TiM to be an alternative or addition to clinic. Benefits depended on patients' current level of needs or disability. The main challenges were the large number of alerts that were generated by TiM, how the clinicians responded to these alerts and the mismatch between patient/carer expectations and nurses actions. This could be improved by better communication systems and adjusting the alerts algorithm.

CONCLUSION

TiM has the potential to facilitate access to specialist care, but further iterative developments to the intervention and process evaluations of the TiM in different services are required.

TRIAL IDENTIFIER NUMBER

ISRCTN26675465.

Adjusted cost analysis of video televisits for the care of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

We previously reported our amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) video televisit experience. Here we report on video televisit versus in-clinic costs, adjusting for perceived medical usefulness (MU).

METHODS

We take the patient-perspective and a focused institutional-perspective. Costs are adjusted for patient/caregiver and physician perceptions of visit MU. The base-case reflects our outpatient ALS practice.

RESULTS

In the base-case, from the patient perspective, in-clinic visits cost $1,116 and video televisits cost $89 ($119 after MU-adjustment). From the institutional perspective, clinic visits cost $799, and video televisits cost $354 ($472 after MU-adjustment). Adjusted cost-savings per televisit are $997 (patient) and $327 (institution). Sensitivity analyses on 5 variables accounted for uncertainty in base-case assumptions.

CONCLUSIONS

Video televisits provide marked adjusted cost-savings for patients and institutions. Adjusted costs are sensitive to perceived MU of video televisits. Future research should explore the ability of video televisits to reduce healthcare resource usage. Muscle Nerve 60: 147-154, 2019.

Integration of a palliative care specialist in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic: Observations from one center

Palliative care specialists can aid in the care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this article, we describe our 1-year experience incorporating a palliative care specialist into the ALS multidisciplinary team. We describe our integration model, patient selection, and visit content. Of 500 total clinic patients, 74 (14.8%) were seen by the palliative care specialist in 1 year. Referral was most often triggered by advance care planning needs (91%). In the initial visit with the palliative care specialist, topics most frequently covered included goals of care (84%), anxiety/depression (35%), and medical decision-making about feeding tubes (27%) or tracheostomy (31%). Symptom management comprised a relatively small number of the visits, and duration of visits was limited by patient fatigue. Patients with complex goals of care may benefit from the input of a palliative care specialist, and unique integration models may help to facilitate care delivery. Muscle Nerve 60: 137-140, 2019.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Update for 2018

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons and other neuronal cells, leading to severe disability and eventually death from ventilatory failure. It has a prevalence of 5 in 100,000, with an incidence of 1.7 per 100,000, reflecting short average survival. The pathogenesis is incompletely understood, but defects of RNA processing and protein clearance may be fundamental. Repeat expansions in the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 gene (C9orf72) are the most common known genetic cause of ALS and are seen in approximately 40% of patients with a family history and approximately 10% of those without. No environmental risk factors are proved to be causative, but many have been proposed, including military service. The diagnosis of ALS rests on a history of painless progressive weakness coupled with examination findings of upper and lower motor dysfunction. No diagnostic test is yet available, but electromyography and genetic tests can support the diagnosis. Care for patients is best provided by a multidisciplinary team, and most interventions are directed at managing symptoms. Two medications with modest benefits have Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of ALS: riluzole, a glutamate receptor antagonist, and, new in 2017, edaravone, a free radical scavenger. Many other encouraging treatment strategies are being explored in clinical trials for ALS; herein we review stem cell and antisense oligonucleotide gene therapies.

Telehealth applications for outpatients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders

Telehealth describes the provision of medical services remotely through technology, and may enhance patient access to specialty care services. Although teleneurology has expanded widely since the introduction of telestroke in 1999, telehealth services for outpatients with neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders are less widespread. In this narrative review, we will describe the current technology, applications, outcomes, and limitations of this dynamically growing field. Evidence for telehealth applications related to neuromuscular diseases, palliative care, specialized multidisciplinary services, and musculoskeletal care are reviewed. With growing demand for specialized services and finite resources, telehealth provides a promising avenue to promote access to high-quality care, decrease the cost and burden of travel for patients, and with the expansion of software to personal computing and mobile devices, offer flexible, low-overhead practice opportunities for clinicians. Providers embarking on careers in telehealth should be aware of current legal restrictions impacting care to minimize risk and avoid liability. Muscle Nerve 58: 475-485, 2018.