Background

Spasticity is a common sequela of upper motor neuron conditions that can reduce quality of life, impair function, and heighten economic burden.^{Reference Esquenazi1} Identification and treatment of problematic spasticity is key in order to decrease impairments including contracture formation, pain, skin breakdown, and functional decline and to limit disability.^{Reference Wissel, Verrier and Simpson2}

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected health-care systems worldwide including physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) and neurology practices in Canada.^{Reference Carda, Invernizzi and Bavikatte3-Reference Escalon and Herrera5} Inpatient hospital care for the management of patients with COVID-19 has been prioritized, while elective surgeries and outpatient clinics have been limited or canceled as part of resource allocation management and mitigation of risks during the pandemic. Subsequently, the delivery of outpatient spasticity care in the PMR and neurology setting has been directly impacted.⁶

The great majority of Canadian spasticity outpatient clinics have been canceled or are now predominantly administered through telemedicine, which has led to a dramatic reduction in patient volume.

As the pandemic evolves, there is a possibility of continuous or intermittent physical distancing being required until a vaccine becomes available.^{Reference Kissler, Tedijanto, Goldstein, Grad and Lipsitch7}

For this reason, a COVID-19 spasticity task force was created. This task force is comprised of 17 Canadian experts in the field of spasticity management. These 16 PMR specialists and 1 neurologist have collaborated extensively regarding spasticity clinical practice, research, and education for more than 10 years nationally and internationally. Our task force experts have academic appointments from 10 Canadian universities and representation at the executive level in the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Canadian Advances in Neuro-Orthopedics for Spasticity Congress, and Canadian Stroke Best Practices Advisory Committee. There was an attempt for geographic diversity by seeking representation from all provinces with spasticity clinics, but we lacked representation from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and the territories. We did not specifically attempt to attain gender diversity. Almost all spasticity clinics in Canada are run by physiatrists while only a very small number are headed by neurologists, hence the majority of task force members are physiatrists.

The COVID-19 spasticity task force conducted their first web-based meeting on April 21, 2020, during which consensus was obtained based on expert opinion for strategies to optimize spasticity outpatient care during the pandemic. Subsequent web-based, telephone, and email discussions regarding regional approaches to the response and procedures of spasticity clinics during the pandemic were conducted and the conclusions are included in our guidance paper. Our task force recommends that clinicians continue to deliver spasticity management via telemedicine for both follow-up care and new patient assessments during this pandemic.

We have also identified a subset of patients that require in-person assessment and access to treatment modalities such as intrathecal baclofen pump therapy, focal chemodenervation, and orthotic adjustments.

In this practical guidance paper, we outline a triaging strategy to determine the urgency of managing spasticity patients in-person versus using telemedicine. We provide strategies to best protect patients, physicians, caregivers, and staff from possible exposure to COVID-19 during outpatient visits. We acknowledge that there may be significant regional differences in personal protective equipment (PPE) access and restrictions regarding provision of care for outpatient clinics. Practitioners should refer to their local and hospital guidelines to ensure that they are in compliance with current recommendations, and our suggestions should be adapted accordingly.

PatientSelectionfor Telemedicine versus In-Person Assessments

Spasticity clinics should not be canceled. Our opinion is that the majority of our spasticity patients should be assessed by telemedicine as a temporary measure. This includes patients who are treated without interventional procedures, those who are treated with oral antispasmodics and/or were recently injected with botulinum toxin or phenol, and those who are stable on intrathecal baclofen treatment.

Telemedicine can be used to gather a history, assess function, perform basic physical exam evaluation, and establish and monitor treatment goals.^{Reference Verduzco-Gutierrez, Bean, Tenforde, Tapia and Silver8} It can also be used to help with stretching, range of motion, and spasticity education prior to in-person assessment. Telemedicine is obviously limited due to the inability to perform a full physical examination to adequately assess spasticity, tone, and contracture, and in certain clinical scenarios, in-person assessment becomes essential to ensure appropriate treatment.

Triaging Strategy for In-Person Assessment

We estimate that approximately 10%–30% of spasticity patients will require an in-person assessment. It is important to carefully triage this group to determine the urgency for spasticity assessments in order to reduce unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, to conserve PPE, and to help decrease medical complications and emergency visits.

We propose the following patient triage strategy based on tiers of urgency (see Figure 1):

• The URGENT GROUP classified as a need for in-person assessment/intervention within 48 hours of contacting the clinic/physician with clinical scenarios including

  • ○ patients requiring intrathecal baclofen pump refills to avoid withdrawal;

  • ○ patients experiencing symptoms or signs of intrathecal baclofen underdosing or overdosing;

  • ○ patients experiencing symptoms or signs of baclofen pump device failure.

• The SEMI-URGENT GROUP classified as a need for in-person assessment between 48 hours and 4 weeks and includes clinical scenarios where spasticity is worsening over the last 4 weeks and is associated with

  • ○ deteriorating functions such as mobility (including falls and difficulty with transfers), perineal care/hygiene with increased caregiver needs, and/or inability to function independently;

  • ○ increasing severe pain that is uncontrolled with other measures and has previously responded to chemodenervation;

  • ○ increased risk of joint dislocation;

  • ○ development of new or worsening pressure ulcer or wound;

  • ○ inability to don and doff orthoses required for function;

  • ○ impaired seating with increased pain and/or high risk of skin breakdown;

  • ○ loss of joint range of motion affecting function, skin breakdown, and/or contracture development.

• The NON-URGENT GROUP classified as patients who can wait up to or beyond 3 months for reassessment and be seen as needed through telemedicine.

Figure 1:

Practical guidance for outpatient spasticity management flowchart.

For patients who are asymptomatic (of COVID-19) and in the urgent or semi-urgent groups:

• Assume that asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 is possible, and therefore use appropriate PPE for all in-person encounters to protect both patients and health-care providers.

• The WHO guidelines for use of PPE advise using surgical mask, goggles/face-shield/visor, gloves, and gown when treating/injecting patients in the outpatient setting.⁹

For patients in the urgent group who are suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive:

• Urgent in-person assessment and treatment must be undertaken if there are intrathecal pump delivery system concerns or intrathecal baclofen refills needed.

• Strict PPE and safety precautions adhering to local guidelines on how COVID-19 positive patients are to be managed need to be in place.

For patients in the semi-urgent group who are suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive:

• Assess with telemedicine and plan for in-person assessment once asymptomatic (defined as 10 days from symptom onset AND no fever without fever-reducing medication AND symptom resolution with the exception of post-viral cough).^{Reference Smith, Mountain and Hill4,10}

• In the scenario where in-person treatment is required, ensure strict PPE and safety precautions adhering to local guidelines on how COVID-19 positive patients are to be managed.