Brazilian Case of Telerehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis in the Pandemic Period By COVID-19

Background: The reception and rehabilitation services for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have been partially interrupted in most countries since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To present the health care in neurorehabilitation promoted by the Brazilian Association of Multiple Sclerosis (ABEM) during a pandemic period by COVID-19.

Methods: A Social Therapeutic Action Plan was developed to identify the needs of people with MS. Social Service call centers were made available via landline, cell phone, WhatsApp and e-mail at the beginning of the pandemic.

Results: 2,975 telephone calls were made between March 23, 2020 to April 30, 2021, referrals were made and distributed as follows: art therapy = 29 (1%), physiotherapy = 2,185 (73.4%), neurology = 29 (1%), psychology = 638 (21.4%), psychiatry = 8 (0.3%), shiatsu = 86 (2.9%).

Conclusions: In addition to raising awareness and encouraging people with MS not to abandon physical and mental health monitoring during the pandemic, it is extremely important to offer and provide essential services such as social and health care. The findings of this study showed the importance of the organization aimed at people with MS in the optimization and continuity of health care and access to effective interventions to promote quality of life.