Date of Award

2010

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mark Romanick

Keywords

Multiple Sclerosis -- therapy; Activities of Daily Living; Case Reports

Abstract

Background and Purpose – It is estimated that approximately 2.5 million people world-wide suffer from multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a neurological disease that impacts messages from the brain to motor and sensory nerves. This disruption can cause loss of sensation and motion to a specific region of the body. The purpose of this case study is to identify interventions used for a person with multiple sclerosis.

Case Description – The Patient is a 40-year-old male who has been suffering from MS for 27 years. He has lost the use of his lower extremities and had contractures at his knees and ankles.

Intervention – Interventions for this patient include active assistive range of motion (AAROM) and active range of motion (AROM), stretching, transfer training, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), gait and pre-gait training, and strengthening.

Outcomes – The patient increased range of motion and strength in his lower extremities, improved sitting balance statically and dynamically, and was able to ambulate a functional distance with assistance.

Discussion – The patient was very pleased overall with his gains in activities of daily living because of the time and effort he put forth in physical therapy. There is currently not a lot of research done on chronic MS accompanied by loss of function in the lower extremities.

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