Living With Spasticity During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Patient, Carer and Physician Experiences

This study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic affected people with spasticity, their caregivers, and the clinicians who treat them. Spasticity is a condition common in long-term neurological disorders and can interfere with physical and psychological well-being. The research involved interviews with patients, carers and a specialist doctor to understand their experiences during the pandemic, focusing on how lockdowns and changes in healthcare access impacted spasticity management. The study identified key areas for improvement in how healthcare systems can better support individuals with spasticity and their carers, especially during crises like a pandemic, including the need for alternative treatment options and better communication.

• 1
  The pandemic had negative impacts on the physical and mental health of patients and carers, increasing frustration, anxiety, and stress due to disrupted treatment and increased care burden.
• 2
  Participants reported difficulties in accessing outpatient clinic appointments, including cancellations, delays in rescheduling, and reluctance to attend due to fear of contracting COVID-19.
• 3
  The clinical spasticity service lead (CSSL) experienced increased stress and anxiety due to the backlog of patients needing treatment and the pressure to provide more clinic appointments with limited resources.