Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41734375›Full record

ArticleJMIR research protocols2026

Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Care Management Model for Patients With Neuromuscular Diseases: Protocol for a Participatory Mixed Methods Study.

Veronika Waldboth, Christina Schuler, Raffaella Willmann, Heidi Petry, Markus Weber, Barbara Grädel Messerli, Hannele Hediger, Iris Kramer, Gabriela Stettler-Nemecek, Martin Knoblauch and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR research protocols, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Veronika WaldbothDepartment of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0003-2785-3241
Christina SchulerDepartment of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-7839-5987
Raffaella WillmannSwiss Foundation for Research on Muscle Diseases, Colombier, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-5949-0900
Heidi PetryCentre for Clinical Nursing Science, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0001-5220-4273
Markus WeberNeuromuscular Diseases Unit/ALS Clinic, Health Ostschweiz (HOCH), Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-5538-9274
Barbara Grädel MesserliMedical division for children and adolescents, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.ORCID 0009-0007-1003-1555
Hannele HedigerDepartment of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-1913-5605
Iris KramerDepartment of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0003-4615-6548
Gabriela Stettler-NemecekDepartment of Health Sciences, Institute of Nursing, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-9624-0847
Martin KnoblauchSwiss ALS Foundation, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID 0009-0004-5701-5614
Georg Martin StettnerNeuromuscular Center Zurich and Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.ORCID 0000-0002-0906-8816

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNeuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are often progressive conditions that can reduce quality of life and life expectancy and require long-term caregiving. As patients age, caregivers face increasing demands, often resulting in significant caregiver burden. Treatment and care are complex, and a coordinated, family-centered approach is indicated. The current care situation for individuals with NMDs and their families in Switzerland is poorly understood, and there is no standardized NMD care management available.

objectiveThe proposed study aims to assess the current care practices for individuals with NMDs in Switzerland, identifying unmet needs and challenges faced by patients, families, and health care providers. On the basis of these findings, a care management model will be developed, implemented, and evaluated to enhance support structures, strengthen specialized neuromuscular centers, and improve overall health care outcomes for affected individuals and their families.

methodsWe planned a 3-phase participatory mixed methods study (the Care-NMD-CH study). First, qualitative descriptive data and quantitative survey data were used to assess the current state of care practices. Then, a care management model and training program were codeveloped based on these insights. Finally, the care management service was implemented in pilot specialized neuromuscular centers and evaluated using quantitative, qualitative, and integrated methods. In addition to interview data and patient records, we measured patient-reported outcomes (quality of life and self-efficacy), family-reported outcomes (family functioning and caregiver burden), and stakeholder-reported outcomes (quality of care and interprofessional collaboration). The study population comprises individuals with NMDs and their families living in Switzerland.

resultsEthics approval was obtained in 2020. Baseline data (T0) were collected and analyzed in 2021 (phase A). The NMD care management model (phase B) was developed based on these data and finalized in 2022. Following the start of implementation in 8 centers in 2023, data collection for process and outcome evaluation (T1-T4) commenced and was completed in May 2025. Data analysis is currently ongoing, and results will be published separately. This paper reports only the study protocol.

conclusionsThis study represents an important step toward implementing and evaluating an evidence-based, family-centered care management service for individuals with NMDs and their families in specialized neuromuscular centers. Building on a 3-phase approach, the project identified gaps in current care; developed a structured care management model, including training; and evaluated its impact on patients, family members, and interprofessional care teams. Expected outcomes include possible improvements in the areas of care coordination, quality of life, and self-efficacy and family functioning. In addition, potential alleviation of disease and caregiver burden, as well as reduction in health care costs for those affected and the health system, will be investigated. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/82833.

Indexed as

Neuromuscular DiseasesPatient Care ManagementCaregiversHumansQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesSwitzerlandcaregiver burdencaregiverscare managementmixed methodsneuromuscular diseasesquality of liferare diseasesstudy protocolSwitzerland

Identifiers

PMID41734375
PMCPMC12976599

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.