Rehabilitation therapy for aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Forty-five cases with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) who underwent convalescent rehabilitation were studied. After excluding three cases with recurrence during rehabilitation treatment, the Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke improved a median of 1 point. Corticosteroids were the most used disease-modifying drugs (DMDs). Three cases relapsed during rehabilitation treatment. Six cases developed febrile infections. Thirty-four cases were discharged home, but half of the cases in their 80s were transferred to a medical care hospital. In the rehabilitation treatment of NMOSD, reducing the risk of recurrence by appropriate DMDs and preventing infections are important. Information sharing using a regional collaborative medical care plan is useful.