Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread change in the delivery of rehabilitation. The Teenage Cancer Trust reported that 69% of young people with cancer saw their physiotherapist less than usual during the pandemic raising concerns about physiotherapy input.
METHODS
Retrospective analysis of all children’s therapy input managed under the Neuro Oncology Rehabilitation Team (NORT) between 1st April and 30th July 2020. Descriptive analysis of change to physiotherapy provision during this time period by Tertiary and local community services.
RESULTS
49 children were managed under the NORT Therapy Team during this timeframe. 9 children were newly diagnosed with CNS tumours. There was no impact on inpatient therapy provision, 3 had delayed local therapy provision on discharge requiring increased virtual input by the Tertiary centre. 40 children were outpatients managed under the NORT therapy team. 16 children were also receiving regular local physiotherapy input prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 13 of these children subsequently had their local physiotherapy input suspended during this time period, 8 children were offered virtual input as an alternative by the Tertiary centre, 2 children received increased face to face appointments at the Tertiary centre. 14 of the 24 children managed solely under the Tertiary NORT Therapy Team changed to virtual therapy reviews.
DISCUSSION
There is a clear change in therapy provision as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should consider the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation conducted virtually and the impact on physical function of reduced local therapy provision in children with CNS tumours.