Verza R, Carvalho M L Lopes, Battaglia M A, Uccelli M Messmer
Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society Rehabilitation Centre of Padua, Italy.
Mult Scler. 2006 Feb;12(1):88-93. doi: 10.1191/1352458506ms1233oa.
Assistive technology makes up a substantial portion of the direct cost of multiple sclerosis (MS). Equipment abandonment results in the needs of the disabled individual being unmet and places stress on the resources available for the funding of such equipment. The aim of the study was to demonstrate whether an interdisciplinary approach to evaluating and prescribing assistive technology reduces equipment abandonment in persons with MS. Data concerning assistive devices acquired by patients being followed at a rehabilitation centre in northern Italy from January 1997 to December 2002, were included in the study. Through December 1999, a physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation prescribed equipment based on a recommendation from the physical therapist. From 2000 to 2002, patients were evaluated following a standardized protocol implemented by an interdisciplinary team comprised of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, physician in physical medicine and rehabilitation and psychologist. Assistive technology obtained during the study period was divided into two datasets based on the year that the aid was obtained: pre-intervention (January 1997 to December 1999) and intervention (January 2000 to December 2002). The analysis included a comparison of the two datasets on number and types of equipment abandoned, timing of abandonment and reasons why devices were abandoned. Fifty-four subjects obtained 151 assistive devices during the study period, 67 devices during pre-intervention and 84 with the intervention. The majority of devices were abandoned immediately or within the first year following obtainment in both groups. A comparison of the number of devices obtained during pre-intervention with those obtained during the intervention showed that the rate of equipment abandonment decreased significantly from 37.3 to 9.5%. An interdisciplinary approach to evaluating assistive technology needs does decrease the risk of equipment abandonment, although it does not completely solve the problem.
辅助技术占多发性硬化症（MS）直接成本的很大一部分。设备被弃用导致残疾个体的需求无法得到满足，并给此类设备的资金可用资源带来压力。本研究的目的是证明，采用跨学科方法评估和开具辅助技术处方是否能减少MS患者的设备弃用情况。研究纳入了1997年1月至2002年12月在意大利北部一家康复中心接受随访的患者所获取的辅助设备相关数据。到1999年12月，一名物理医学与康复科医生根据物理治疗师的建议开具设备处方。从2000年到2002年，患者按照由一名物理治疗师、职业治疗师、物理医学与康复科医生和心理学家组成的跨学科团队实施的标准化方案接受评估。根据获取援助的年份，将研究期间获得的辅助技术分为两个数据集：干预前（1997年1月至1999年12月）和干预后（2000年1月至2002年12月）。分析内容包括比较两个数据集在设备弃用数量和类型、弃用时间以及设备被弃用原因方面的情况。54名受试者在研究期间共获得151件辅助设备，干预前获得67件，干预后获得84件。两组中大多数设备在获取后立即或第一年内被弃用。将干预前获取的设备数量与干预后获取的设备数量进行比较，结果显示设备弃用率从37.3%显著降至9.5%。尽管不能完全解决问题，但采用跨学科方法评估辅助技术需求确实能降低设备被弃用的风险。
