Article

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.
CI - Copyright A(c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS