News Express

Science News: Standardized Tapering off Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin in Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

March 15, 2024

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients who entered remission after complete discontinuation of treatment with subcutaneous immunoglobulin by employing a standardized tapering-off regimen.

Trainee Talk: Neuromuscular Ultrasound Applications in an Electrodiagnostic Laboratory

March 15, 2024

Ultrasound (US) has become an increasingly useful tool in the fields of neuromuscular (NM) and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine. Read Drs. James Meiling and Michael Cartwright's discussion on how to apply and use NMUS in an EDX laboratory.

Advocacy Success: AANEM Opposes Census Disability Question Changes

February 29, 2024

AANEM successfully advocated to oppose changes to disability questions which would have resulted in undercounting the number of disabled individuals in the U.S. Census at the AMA House of delegates.

Science News: Efficacy and Safety of Hydrokinesitherapy in Patients With Dystrophinopathy

February 29, 2024

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of regular pool dynamic aerobic exercises in ambulatory patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

2024 AANEM & Wake Forest Francis O. Walker Neuromuscular Ultrasound Course

February 27, 2024

Join physicians and advanced practice providers at the 2024 AANEM & Wake Forest Francis O. Walker Neuromuscular Ultrasound Course May 2-3 in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Science News: Comparing the Effect of Implanted Peroneal Nerve Stimulation and Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Gait Kinematics in Chronic Hemiparesis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

February 16, 2024

The study at hand investigated the effects of semi-implanted selective functional electrical stimulation on gait kinematics compared to ankle foot orthotic.

CMS Releases Final Rule on Prior Authorization

January 30, 2024

On Jan. 17, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that makes important reforms in prior authorization (PA) programs for medical services and addresses both technological and operational requirements.

Science News: Tactile Perception of the Hand in Children With an Upper Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy

January 30, 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate sensory deficits that cause impairment of hand function in children between 7-12 years with an upper neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP). This was a cross sectional study comparing 41 children with upper NBPP in non-dominant hand with 25 healthy controls (mean ages approximately 10 yo).

Trainee Talk: Self-Assessment Examination - Purpose, Preparation, and Performance Results

January 30, 2024

Hear from Michael Skolka, MD, NM Fellow at Mayo Clinic, as he reviews the purpose of the Self-Assessment Examination, discusses how to prepare for the exam, and describes what to do with the results when returned.

Science News: Nutritional and Metabolic Factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

January 08, 2024

Weight loss and metabolic abnormalities are common in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often preceding symptom onset and predicting poorer outcomes. Clinical studies show premorbid weight loss, low body mass index, and loss of fat mass are associated with increased ALS risk and faster progression. Metabolic alterations such as reduced adiposity and cholesterol can be detected years before symptoms arise, indicating a causal role in disease pathogenesis rather than just a consequence of impairment.

Trainee Talk: The Benefits of Serving on an AANEM Committee

December 26, 2023

Hear Nakul Katyal, MD, share his experience participating in an AANEM committee and the benefits his volunteering brings to his practice.

Science News: High and Persistent Anti-GM1 Antibody Titers Are Associated With Poor Clinical Recovery in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

December 22, 2023

This study investigated the relationship between the serum antibody titers of ganglioside GM1 and outcomes in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Patients who met the criteria for GBS were included if hospitalized within two weeks from the onset of weakness and unable to walk 10 meters independently. Serum anti-GM1 antibody titers were collected at study enrollment and during a six-month follow-up appointment.

2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - Physicians Urged to Act

December 11, 2023

On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that announces finalized policy changes for Medicare payments under the PFS effective on or after January 1, 2024. One of the biggest areas of concern is the 3.37% reduction in the Medicare conversion factor. The AMA urges physicians to take action now by contacting lawmakers and advocating they cancel the 2024 cut and fix the unsustainable Medicare physician payment system.

Science News: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Oncology Trainees on Function and Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine

December 06, 2023

Enhancing functionality is linked to decreased morbidity and mortality among individuals living with cancer. Cancer rehabilitation medicine (CRM) emphasizes elevating functionality in this patient population. However, a notable impediment to patients availing themselves of CRM services lies in the insufficient number of referrals originating from oncology providers. Addressing this challenge necessitates an exploration of the perspectives held by oncology trainees. Unraveling their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs concerning the significance of function and the role played by CRM is imperative. This understanding is pivotal in mitigating educational gaps and improving patients' access to rehabilitation services.

AANEM Attends AMA House of Delegates Meeting

December 05, 2023

AANEM cosponsored a resolution at the AMA’s House of Delegates (HOD) interim meeting, advocating for the crucial inclusion of the disability community and stakeholder input in discussing a significant change to the disability questions in the U.S. Census. AANEM and cosponsor American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) emphasized the necessity of the disability community and stakeholder involvement before implementing the proposed changes.

Trainee Talk: The Neuromuscular Physiatrist - How PM&R Fits Into the Neuromuscular Field

November 28, 2023

With the blossoming increase of interest in neuromuscular (NM) and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine among PM&R residents, understanding the potential role of PM&R within these subspecialties and what PM&R can uniquely add to this field is vital. Read Drs. James Meiling, and Nassim Rad's discussion about the the NM physiatrist: How PM&R fits into the neuromuscular field.

Science News: Management Of Spastic Equinovarus Foot in Children With Cerebral Palsy: An Evaluation of Anatomical Landmarks for Selective Nerve Blocks of the Tibial Nerve Motor Branches

November 28, 2023

This is small observational study of 24 children aged 6-16 with cerebral palsy (CP), to define landmarks of tibial motor nerve branches for selective motor nerve blocks of the gastrocnemii, soleus and tibialis posterior muscles to manage spastic equinovarus foot.

CMS Finalizes Updates to the Physician Fee Schedule

November 13, 2023

The AANEM policy staff is diligently reviewing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS's) final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and more...

Science News: Serum Neurofilament Light Chain as a Reliable Biomarker of Hereditary Transthyretin-Related Amyloidosis - A Swiss Reference Center Experience

November 10, 2023

In this prospective study, the authors aimed to determine if serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a reliable and early biomarker of peripheral neuropathy in hereditary transthyretin-related (hATTR) amyloidosis.

Science News: VCP-Related Myopathy: A Case Series and a Review of Literature

October 26, 2023

Valosin containing protein (VCP) controls the ubiquitin proteasome system, endolysosomal sorting, and autophagy. Frontotemporal dementia, inclusion body myopathy, and Paget’s disease of bone all have been related to dominant missense mutations in the VCP gene causing a multisystem proteinopathy. In this study, the authors describe a series of 5 patients with VCP mutations, majority with lower limb weakness with distal predominance.