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https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2019.58.04.24

Complex Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patient

Joanna Białkowska ; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland; Clinical University Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
Dorota Mroczkowska ; Clinical University Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
Margaret E. Huflejt ; Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
Joanna Wojtkiewicz ; Clinical University Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
Tomasz Siwek ; Clinical University Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
Monika Barczewska ; Clinical University Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
Wojciech Maksymowicz ; Clinical University Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive and fatal degenerative neuromuscular disease with few if any treatment options and physical rehabilitation addressing specific deficits is the most frequent form of therapy. Patients also suffer from depression and increased anxiety. Our purpose was to assess the neurorehabilitation effectiveness in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who underwent stem cell transplantation but refused physiotherapy due to depression. Disease progression was followed using the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale bimonthly for six months pre- and then post-stem cell transplantation. Psychological traits were assessed using six standardized tests. Quantitative electroencephalogram diagnostics was performed before the first and after the last neurofeedback session, and sessions were conducted on a 3-times-a-week basis. The physiotherapy protocol included proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, electrical modalities unit applied to the lumbar spine area, and breathing, relaxation and walking exercises, among others. Increased motivation and marked decrease in the pain level was associated with the patient’s willingness to complete physiotherapy, which resulted in improvements in most neuromuscular deficits and in increased respiratory capacity. During the 12 post-rehabilitation months, progression of the disease decelerated, and a positive behavioral change was noted. The study suggested that neurofeedback could be used as a neurorehabilitation component of the personalized complex rehabilitation protocol in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Keywords

Biofeedback, psychology; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Depression; Quality of life

Hrčak ID:

235298

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/235298

Publication date:

1.12.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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