Inpatient Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Intervention Outcomes for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Observational Study

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Objective: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system that are predominantly characterized by attacks of optic neuritis and/or transverse myelitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical rehabilitation course of patients with NMOSD. Methods: We carried out a retrospective evaluation of 20 cases of NMOSD in which the patients underwent multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation intervention starting within 2 months after acute exacerbation. Rehabilitation outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale, the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Results: A total of 19 cases were finally included in this study. The average EDSS scores ranged from 5.9 to 7.1 during hospitalization. Lower age significantly correlated with improved EDSS scores. Changes in the EDSS score during rehabilitation varied in patients experiencing their first attack; however, improvements in the EDSS score of ≥ 1.5 were observed only in patients who had experienced two or less attacks. During rehabilitation, the FIM significantly improved from 81.4 to 101.7, with a gain of 20.3 and efficacy of 0.2/day. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary rehabilitation may improve functional recovery after NMOSD attacks. Younger age and two or less attacks were associated with better outcomes in this study.