Physical Therapy and Functional Motor Recovery in Patient with Guillain-Barré Syndrome - Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease with sudden onset and progressive impairment of the peripheral nerves. Aim: To study the influence of applied physical therapy (PT) on functional recovery in patient with a prolonged complicated course of GBS, Landry ascending paralysis and assisted breathing and 4 months in-hospital stay. Case report: The study was conducted with a 34-year-old woman in subacute stage of GBS, over the course of 2 months in the patient’s home, after discharge. PT sessions were performed 3-4 times per week for 1-hour duration, moderate intensity, without reaching fatigue. Correct positioning in bed, passive-active exercises, analytical exercises, exercises for strength of abdominal muscles, breathing exercises, training balance and coordination of sitting and standing, and massage were applied. PT included correct positioning in bed, passive-active exercises, analytical exercises, exercises for strength of abdominal muscles, breathing exercises, training balance and coordination of sitting and standing, and massage. Tests for bed mobility and transfers, Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test (FTSTS) and 10 Meters Walking Test (10MW) were applied twice in order to monitor the effect of PT. Results and Discussion: The results showed an improvement in the speed of patient’s response for transfers. Time for performing FTSTS decreased 33 sec. Improvement in bed mobility, walking speed and cadence are also observed. Conclusion: After two months of treatment functional mobility of the patient was improved.