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Review
. 2021 Sep;42(9):3553-3559.
doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05396-8. Epub 2021 Jun 25.

How to manage with telemedicine people with neuromuscular diseases?

Emanuele Spina  1 , Francesca Trojsi  2 , Stefano Tozza  3 , Aniello Iovino  3 , Rosa Iodice  3 , Carla Passaniti  2 , Gianmarco Abbadessa  2 , Simona Bonavita  2 , Letizia Leocani  4   5 , Gioacchino Tedeschi  2 , Fiore Manganelli #  3 , Luigi Lavorgna #  6 ; Digital Technologies, Web and Social Media Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology (SIN)
Affiliations
Review

How to manage with telemedicine people with neuromuscular diseases?

Emanuele Spina et al. Neurol Sci. 2021 Sep.

Erratum in

  • Correction to: How to manage with telemedicine people with neuromuscular diseases?
    Spina E, Trojsi F, Tozza S, Iovino A, Iodice R, Passaniti C, Abbadessa G, Bonavita S, Leocani L, Tedeschi G, Manganelli F, Lavorgna L; on behalf of Digital Technologies, Web, Social Media Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology (SIN). Spina E, et al. Neurol Sci. 2021 Sep;42(9):3949. doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05456-z. Neurol Sci. 2021. PMID: 34245383 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic radically transformed our daily clinical practice, raising the need not to lose close contact with patients without being able to see them face-to-face. These issues are even more felt and evident in fragile patients, as those affected by neuromuscular disease. An important help came from new digital technologies that allow clinicians to remotely monitor health status and any deterioration of chronically ill patients.

Methods: In this mini-review, an initiative of the "Digital Technologies, Web and Social Media Study Group" of the Italian Society of Neurology, we propose to analyze the approach to neuromuscular patients by looking over raising evidence on the main cornerstones of Telemedicine (TM): clinician-patient interaction, remote clinical assessment, remote monitoring, and digital therapeutics. In particular, we explored the strategies developed by researchers and their impact on the physical and emotional status of the patients, with particular focusing on their adherence to the program of virtual monitoring.

Results: TM plays an important role in each of four stages of approach to neuromuscular disease, having demonstrated validity in keep close clinical patient interaction, clinical assessment, remote monitoring, and telerehabilitation. Nevertheless, there is no remote alternative to electrophysiological testing neither validate tools to assess disability.

Conclusion: The role of TM in neuromuscular care is yet underestimated but is crucial, beyond the pandemic era. Further development of TM is advisable, through making specific apps, remotely controlled by clinicians, and making more engaging clinicians-patients interaction. Last, it is necessary to ensure adequate internet access to everyone.

Keywords: COVID-19; Neuromuscular disease; Tele-health; TeleRehabilitation; Telemedicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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