(934.3) Outcome of short-term physiotherapy intervention program on early stage of multiple sclerosis - A case report
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
10:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Location: Exhibit/Poster Hall A-B - Pennsylvania Convention Center
Poster Board Number: C148
Sailaja Nandennagari (AVALON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE), Annam Preethi (AVALON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE), Krupavarm Bethala (ACHARYA NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY)
Presenting Author AVALON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
INTRODUCTION
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune progressive disease of demyelination of central nervous system with subsequent axonal damage. The symptoms are due to central nervous system lesions resulting from loss of oligodendrocytes, which myelinates CNS leading to tingling and numbness of limbs and reactive gliosis with no cure for the disease. But CNS diseased effects are often controlled through rehabilitation.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to observe the importance of early physiotherapy rehabilitation along with immunosuppressants to suppress and reduce the symptoms and slows down the disease process beginning from the initial day of hospitalization to six weeks which causes progression in the patient reducing the incapacity and improves functional measures and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients. Muscle weakness, and spasticity, balance and coordination can be improved through stretching and strengthening exercises.
METHOD
Patient strictly followed intervention for a period of six weeks under the supervision of Physiotherapist. Intervention includes strengthening, aerobic conditioning, flexibility exercises, coordination exercise, balance exercises, gait training using assistive devices, sensory, functional, bowel and bladder control training. Interventions were gradually progressed up to the patient every week according to their symptoms. Patient was assessed in 1st and 7th week using the outcome measures namely Functional independence measure (FIM) and Short Form survey-12 (SF-12) assessing the impact of health on patient’s everyday quality of life.
RESULTS
After the 7th week re-assessment, it has been shown there is a difference in the value of outcome measures. FIM level has improved from 3-moderate assistance with helper to 6-modified independence without helper. SF-12 physical score showed marked improvement from 48.020307 to 56.57706 while SF-12 mental score change showed very minor change.
CONCLUSION
Multiple sclerosis disease impairment is primarily a consequence of disease progress, but it can be aggravated by reduced physical activity leading to muscle weakness, decreased ROM, spasticity. Exercise and training have been shown to improve the above said deteriorations in multiple sclerosis patients and certainly can be alleviated.