title: [Management of symptoms associated with spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the role of nurses in the management of symptoms related to spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive study was developed based on a questionnaire on spasticity in MS patients. The questionnarie was completed through an anonymous tele-voting system at a national meeting with nurses involved in the management of these patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Apart from fatigue, according to the opinion of the participants, the spasticity symptom associated with MS most notified by patients was difficulty in walking, followed by spasms and pain. Participants thought that it is important that nursing takes: 1) a role in identifying these symptoms, 2) should focus on the detection of the triggering or aggravating factors, and 3) on providing support in the assessment of the level of spasticity. It is important to inform about the correct use of anti-spasticity drugs, how to adjust the dosage and side effects of treatments, including cannabinoids via an oromucosal spray, titrating its doses according to each patient, and monitoring its tolerability, efficacy and adherence. Although there are usually resources to follow up these patients, there are still important gaps, including the lack of a specific follow-up protocol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although all the participants are experts in the management of patients with MS, there is still diversity in the functions they perform, and the available resources they have in their hospitals. Nurses act as a key element in the process of identification of symptoms, training and monitoring of these patients with spasticity in EM.
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España. Electronic address: iriasun@hotmail.com.
authors: María Asunción
authors: MA
authors: Fernández-Pablos
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.
authors: Lucienne
authors: L
authors: Costa-Frossard
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, España.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: García-Hernández
authors: Servicio de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España.
authors: Inmaculada
authors: I
authors: García-Montes
authors: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.
authors: Matilde
authors: M
authors: Escutia-Roig
mesh_terms: D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005221:Fatigue; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002186:Cannabinoids
keywords: Cannabinoides; Cannabinoids; Enfermería; Esclerosis múltiple; Espasticidad; Multiple sclerosis; Muscle spasticity; Neurology; Neurología; Nursing; Symptoms; Síntomas