Care

Promote integrated care. This is why Cemcat works every day to develop diagnoses as far as possible through the Neurology/Neuroimmunology Department and to personalise treatment. To detect and treat the cognitive and emotional alterations associated with the disease (Neuropsychology). To use Neurorehabilitation as an important resource throughout all this treatment. In short, to improve the quality of life of patients in accordance with their needs and also their decisions.

Every year at Cemcat

+3.000 patients receive care

+500 initial appointments

+7.000 follow-up appointments

+2,500 treatments at the Walk-in Clinic

+350 patients undergoing neurorehabilitation

Our services

Appointment with the neurologist

An appointment with the neurologist can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and/or give rise to the treatment deemed most appropriate for the patient.

Appointment with the neurologist

An appointment with the neurologist can confirm or rule out a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and/or give rise to the treatment deemed most appropriate for the patient. The neurologists draw on the medical record, the neurological examination of the patient and the results of the appropriate examinations in each case: magnetic resonance, lumbar puncture, blood analysis, etc.

An appointment with the neurologist may be the first appointment, a second opinion appointment or a follow-up examination. It should be emphasised that all initial patient appointments and treatment decisions are agreed by consensus at the clinical sessions staged weekly by the neurologists of Cemcat and other members of the medical team. The aim is to establish a more personalised treatment.

Neurologists may also refer patients to a Cemcat neuropsychologist if they suspect there is any cognitive deficit or emotional alteration.
Art Therapy

Art therapy at Cemcat motivates and promotes physical, cognitive and relational skills through multiple techniques and educational resources. The aims are to encourage social relationships, manage emotions and achieve expression through creativity, to improve functional capacities and promote manual abilities by means of creative activities in an artistic context.

Art Therapy

Art therapy at Cemcat motivates and promotes physical, cognitive and relational skills through multiple techniques and educational resources. The aims are to encourage social relationships, manage emotions and achieve expression through creativity, to improve functional capacities and promote manual abilities by means of creative activities in an artistic context.

Patients following art therapy are involved in art exhibitions through collaboration with the civic centres of Barcelona City Council.

The art therapist accompanies each individual and provides the tools required throughout the creative process, while likewise providing different techniques using art as a means of therapy. This therapeutic process can ultimately provide a means of access to expression and the positive exploration of feelings that are difficult to articulate.

Mention should also be made of the inclusion of an urban allotment which is run by the centre.
Care for children

Cemcat has a Paediatric Clinic to treat children with multiple sclerosis.

Care for children

Cemcat has a Paediatric Clinic to treat children with multiple sclerosis. MS is normally diagnosed in people aged between 20 and 40, but some 3% to 10% of patients are diagnosed at a paediatric age, in other words under 18 years. We refer specifically to the Paediatric Clinic at Cemcat because on certain days each month the centre is dedicated exclusively to appointments, tests and treatment of children so that they can receive more personalised care.
Health Education

One very important aspect of the role of the Cemcat Nursing Team comprises the health education sessions for patients, to help them better understand the disease and how treatment is performed. The aim is that the patients should achieve optimal management of their daily life as regards their condition.

Health Education

One very important aspect of the role of the Cemcat Nursing Team comprises the health education sessions for patients, to help them better understand the disease and how treatment is performed. The aim is that the patients should achieve optimal management of their daily life as regards their condition.

The Nursing Team conducts more than 250 health education sessions per year to provide patients with information about multiple sclerosis and the administration of their treatment.

Personalised sessions

At the health education sessions, small groups of patients are given detailed information about their treatment. Meanwhile, each patient also receives individual information. The aim of this personalised care is to ensure that patients can resolve all their queries and to guarantee the continuity of the treatment.

It should also be emphasised that the Cemcat nurses are likewise involved in other training sessions intended for patients and their relatives.
Home Care

The home care provided by Cemcat forms part of the ATDOM Home Care Programme, and deals with patients included within the programme.

Home Care

The home care provided by Cemcat forms part of the ATDOM Home Care Programme, and deals with patients included within the programme. It covers the range of social and healthcare and community activities performed at the patient's home with the aim of detecting, evaluating and supporting and monitoring the health problems of individuals and their families, so as to improve their quality of life.

The healthcare team, comprising a doctor, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a clinical assistant, a speech therapist and a social worker, coordinates to address the needs of patients within their surroundings.

The ATDOM Home Care Programme is developed thanks to the subsidy of the Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad.
Lumbar puncture

Lumbar puncture is one of the tests used to diagnose multiple sclerosis, along with magnetic resonance and other analytical techniques.

Lumbar puncture

Lumbar puncture is one of the tests used to diagnose multiple sclerosis, along with magnetic resonance and other analytical techniques. The lumbar puncture test is performed at the centre itself, at the Walk-in Clinic, and involves extracting fluid from the spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid), and analysing it to ascertain whether it reveals the anomalies inherent in multiple sclerosis

Lumbar puncture serves to detect the presence of oligoclonal bands, proteins that suggest the inflammation of the central nervous system, and which could be a sign of multiple sclerosis.
Neuropsychological evaluation

When patients report a cognitive problem at their appointment with the neurologist, or otherwise if the neurologist suspects that the patient suffers such a cognitive deficit, he or she will refer the individual for a neuropsychological evaluation to be scheduled.

Neuropsychological evaluation

When patients report a cognitive problem at their appointment with the neurologist, or otherwise if the neurologist suspects that the patient suffers such a cognitive deficit, he or she will refer the individual for a neuropsychological evaluation to be scheduled. The neurologist likewise performs such referrals when detecting any emotional alteration or if the patient requires psychological care.

One of the Cemcat neuropsychologists performs the evaluation in order to ascertain whether a cognitive problem really exists, and what strategies/therapies could be pursued with the patient. One of the main cognitive disorders is an alteration in the speed of information processing. Problems can likewise arise in terms of attention, concentration, memory or aspects connected with verbal fluency.

This then leads on to suggested compensatory strategies (advice and resources to alleviate these deficits) or cognitive training/stimulation (exercises). This links in with the possibility of performing neurorehabilitation at the centre if it is felt that the patient fulfils the requirements and is a candidate to follow the Cemcat neurorehabilitation programme.

As for psychological care, intervention focuses on problems linked to the disease. If there are any other fundamental issues affecting the patient, the neuropsychologist may recommend the intervention of another professional in order to address this.
Nursing Consultations

Nurses are often the health professionals closest to the patient and with whom they have the greatest contact. The Cemcat Nursing Team receives numerous consultations from patients, which are resolved in person at the centre itself, and also by phone and email.

Nursing Consultations

Nurses are often the health professionals closest to the patient and with whom they have the greatest contact. The Cemcat Nursing Team receives numerous consultations from patients, which are resolved in person at the centre itself, and also by phone and email.

These consultations refer, for example, to issues connected with treatment, possible side-effects, worsening of the disease, etc. Within this context, they listen, inform, educate and accompany patients in addressing any queries they might have regarding their condition.

The Cemcat nurses handle these consultations or act as mediators, and refer them to the appropriate professional (neurologist, neuropsychologist, physiotherapist…) depending on the subject of the query each specific case. The Cemcat nurses handle these consultations or act as mediators, and refer them to the appropriate professional (neurologist, neuropsychologist, physiotherapist…) depending on the subject of the query each specific case.
Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on increasing personal autonomy, allowing individuals to perform the basic activities of daily life. One of the main objectives is therefore to improve manual abilities by training these basic activities and fostering functionality.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on increasing personal autonomy, allowing individuals to perform the basic activities of daily life. One of the main objectives is therefore to improve manual abilities by training these basic activities and fostering functionality.

The adaptation of home surroundings and advice as to support products to improve the activity of individuals at home and within their community is another of the objectives of the service provided by occupational therapy at the centre. The socio-economic situation of the patient is taken into account in this regard.

Occupational therapy at Cemcat includes individual sessions and also group sessions. The latter includes sessions to handle fatigue, teaching energy-saving principles for activities of daily life, along with manual function training sessions to improve sensitivity, paresis and ataxia of one or both upper limbs.

Occupational therapy is conducted at the Independent Living Laboratory, which reproduces an accessible apartment designed with adapted furniture, technical aids and environmental control techniques to facilitate daily activities and access by people with mobility and cognitive difficulties to their environment.
Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists with experience in the physical rehabilitation of people with multiple sclerosis form a part of the Cemcat neurorehabilitation team.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists with experience in the physical rehabilitation of people with multiple sclerosis form a part of the Cemcat neurorehabilitation team.

Physical rehabilitation addresses the motor, sensory and balance deficits that may emerge at any phase of the disease, causing anything from limitations in physical activity in the initial phases, to complications in terms of state of health caused by lack of mobility in the more advanced phases.

Group therapy and individualised treatment

Physiotherapy treatment includes group therapy for patients with slight impacts, addressing deficits of strength, balance and gait through treatment protocols adapted to the specific capacities and characteristics of each individual. Material is also provided with specific audiovisual and graphical support to allow patients to continue performing physical exercise at home when their treatment period comes to an end.

For those with MS who reveal a more significant physical disability, treatment is individualised, placing a particular emphasis on manual therapy, verticalisation and passive cyclo-ergotherapy in order to prevent immobility complications.

Two pioneering projects are currently being conducted in the field of physical therapy in MS: the outbreak clinic, which performs early physiotherapy with those individuals revealing a motor outbreak; and aerobic and gait training by means of Nordic walking for people with MS.
Social Work

The socio-familial situation of people living with multiple sclerosis can be affected as the disease evolves. Receiving guidance and advice is essential in order to understand the rights and resources available and to redress the different situations that may arise so as to promote personal well-being.

Social Work

The socio-familial situation of people living with multiple sclerosis can be affected as the disease evolves. Receiving guidance and advice is essential in order to understand the rights and resources available and to redress the different situations that may arise so as to promote personal well-being.

In addition to individual care focused on the patient, consideration is also given to the importance of the family context, both as regards involvement in patient treatment and the needs of relatives themselves to have access to personal consultations and the chance to take part in support groups for relatives.
Speech Therapy

The Speech Therapy service becomes involved if attempts are needed to improve communication and swallowing. Given the changes in the functioning of the musculature involved in these activities, individuals can choke, have difficulty uttering or pronouncing sounds.
Speech Therapy
The Speech Therapy service becomes involved if attempts are needed to improve communication and swallowing. Given the changes in the functioning of the musculature involved in these activities, individuals can choke, have difficulty uttering or pronouncing sounds.

There may also be cognitive changes giving rise to communication difficulties. It should be emphasised in this regard that the Cemcat Speech Therapy service is also involved in cognitive rehabilitation.

The basic operational approaches are:

Evaluation of dysphagia: comprehensive clinical evaluation of swallowing and individual or group therapy follow-up.

Intervention addressing communication difficulties through group voice and speech sessions, likewise including one-off focuses on cognitive aspects.

Cognitive stimulation through computerised tools in coordination with other modes of treatment offered by the Psychology/Neuropsychology Service.

Innovation and generalisation of benefits in daily life

The aim of an innovative operational approach facilitating the generalisation of benefits in the daily life of patients as far as possible, and the involvement of relatives in the therapy process, takes the form of such initiatives as:

Use of online computerised tools to extend both cognitive and swallowing, voice and speech work at home.

Choral singing activity. This activity is directed by a music therapist and the Cemcat's own speech therapist, and represents a novel mode of therapy integrating both the voice and the fostering of social participation, among other aspects. It is likewise open to the relatives of the users taking part.
Sport Programme

Sport Programme include Adapted Aquatic Activity (AAA), Boccia i Yoga.

Sport Programme

Adapted Aquatic Activity (AAA) Service

The aim of Adapted Aquatic Activity (AAA) is to improve/maintain coordination of movements, to maintain/obtain an optimal functional level and also to promote leisure and social relationships. The activity is performed at the MARÍTIM thalassotherapy centre and sports club (at Passeig Marítim, 33, Barcelona). It is held in a salt water swimming pool.

AAA lasts for three months (approximately 12 sessions).

Boccia Service

Boccia is an activity performed at the Cemcat centre one day a week during admissions, and is open to all patients with an interest. It is a precise, strategy game similar to bowls, played individually, in couples or in teams.

The rehabilitation objectives are to work the upper limbs, strength and flexibility, body mastery and control, organisation of temporal space, as well as relaxation and muscle tone.

Yoga

Yoga may be beneficial for individuals with multiple sclerosis: relaxation, breathing, stretching, conscious movements... Yoga forms a part of the Cemcat rehabilitation programme, with individualised exercises adapted for each patient.
Walk-in Clinic

One of the priority aims of Neurology/Neuroimmunology at Cemcat is to avoid hospital admissions. In this regard, the Walk-in Clinic is one of the distinctive benefits offered by Cemcat, given its capacity to manage and administer highly complex therapies on a outpatient basis.

Walk-in Clinic

One of the priority aims of Neurology/Neuroimmunology at Cemcat is to avoid hospital admissions. In this regard, the Walk-in Clinic is one of the distinctive benefits offered by Cemcat, given its capacity to manage and administer highly complex therapies on a outpatient basis. This allows patients to continue their daily life without needing to disrupt their routine, as would be required in the event of an overnight admission, while they can also rest at home.

The Nursing professionals are responsible for managing the Walk-in Clinic and for the administration of intravenous drugs, a process that takes between around 1 and 6 hours. They likewise handle the coordination of medication, in other words ensuring that the drugs are available at the Walk-in Clinic on the day of treatment. Particular mention should be made of the role of the nursing staff in ensuring that patients continue their pharmacological treatment for the disease.

The Cemcat Nursing team is likewise responsible for other walk-in procedures conducted at the Clinic, requiring minor interventions or monitoring during daytime hours.