On June 1-2, the IXth International Congress “Neurorehabilitation-2017” was held in Moscow.
The event was held with support of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Russian Association of Rehabilitation and the National Stroke Association (NSA). Within the framework of the Congress, an exhibition event was also held, in which LLC “Vectorpharm”, the distributor of preparations of LLC “Scientific Production Company “PHARMASOFT” (LLC “SPC “PHARMASOFT”), took part.
The scientific program of the Congress was devoted to rehabilitation in vascular diseases, injuries and tumors of central nervous system. During the Congress, an annual session for managers and employees of regional vascular centers and primary vascular units was held, where basic principles of organization of rehabilitation activities for patients with cerebral stroke in settings of vascular units and peculiarities of training personnel for work in vascular units were examined, criteria for efficacy of rehabilitation were discussed and clinical protocols were approved.
Symposium “Peculiarities of Rehabilitation of an Elderly Patient with Cerebrovascular Disease” aroused great interest of the Congress participants. The report “Rehabilitation Potential in Elderly Patients with CVD (cerebrovascular disease)” was presented by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Fedin Anatoly Ivanovich. The speaker focused on ways to improve compliance, and, consequently, the effectiveness of therapy, and emphasized on the need to prescribe to such patients drugs with a multimodal effect, a prominent representative of which is antioxidant and antihypoxant Mexidol®. Within the framework of the Symposium, the results of randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled parallel-group study of efficacy and safety of Mexidol® in treatment of ischemic stroke (EPICA) were presented by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Stakhovskaya Lyudmila Vitalievna.
151 patients (62 men and 89 women) were enrolled to the study, 150 patients (62 men and 88 women) aged 40 to 79 years were randomized. The patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: patients of the 1st group were treated with Mexidol, 500 mg/day, by intravenously drop infusion, for 10 days, followed by taking 1 tablet (125 mg) 3 times a day for 8 weeks, patients of the 2nd group received a placebo by the same regimen. The duration of participation in the study was 67 to 71 days. At the end of the therapy, the mean score by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was lower in the 1st group than in the 2nd one (p = 0.04). Dynamics of decrease in average score by mRS (1-5th visits) was more evident in the 1st group (p = 0.023). The proportion of patients, who achieved a recovery, corresponding to 0-2 points by mRS (5th visit), was significantly higher in the 1st group (p = 0.039). During the therapy with Mexidol, significantly more evident improvement in comparison with placebo was observed, as measured by modified Rankin Scale. At the end of the therapy, the level of life activities was significantly higher in the Mexidol therapy group. When tested by Stroke Scale of National Institute of Health at the 5th visit, the mean value was lower in the 1st group (p = 0.035), at the end of the therapy, the neurologic impairment was significantly lower in Mexidol therapy group. The decrease in score by Stroke Scale of National Institute of Health at the end of the course of the therapy relative to baseline in patients with diabetes mellitus was more evident in the 1st group (p = 0.038). In the 1st group, in general population of patients and subpopulation of patients with diabetes mellitus, the dynamics of improving quality of life was more evident and was observed since the 2nd visit. The proportion of patients with no problem with mobility in space was significantly higher in the 1st group (p = 0.022). The majority of patients in Mexidol therapy group noted that they did not have any problems with movement, self-care, everyday activities, did not experience pain and discomfort, anxiety and depression. There were no significant differences in incidence of adverse events in patients of both groups. The results of the study show that Mexidol® in the regimen of sequential therapy has a favorable profile of tolerability and safety. It is recommended to include Mexidol® into therapy of patients in acute and early recovery periods of IS (Ischaemic Stroke).
The peculiarities of pharmacological support for rehabilitation of elderly patients were reported by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Ushkalova Elena Andreevna. Mexidol® was presented as in detail examined preparation with a high safety profile.
Participation in the event allowed doctors to obtain additional information on new technologies for recovery and maintenance of functions of patients with cerebral stroke at various stages of rehabilitation treatment.
At the stand of LLC “Vectorpharm”, doctors could take a close look at informational materials on problems of neurorehabilitation in modern medicine in the context of effectiveness of anti-ischemic preparation Mexidol®, which has antioxidant, antihypoxic, and membranotropic effects.