Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation 1983; 64(7): 304-7
ABSTRACT: A clinic was established at The Mount Sinai Medical Center [New York, and staffed by a multidisciplinary team to assess the feasibility of caring for the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through an outpatient facility. ALS patients (300) were evaluated and followed in a 3-yr period. Each patient was viewed as an individual, and the establishment of 4 clinical neurologic scales (or stages) proved helpful in tracking declining functional performance and in the establishment of suggestions for care. A rehabilitation program can be more effective in helping the ALS patient maximize functional abilities while minimizing disabilities and complications at every stage of the disease. Such a program can be implemented through an outpatient clinic with regularly scheduled follow-up visits.