Author

Jonathan Tyre

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Mark Romanick

Keywords

Guillain-Barre Syndrome, myelin sheath, immune system, demyelinates nerves, Physical Therapy

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a medical condition with no known cause. Incidence of this condition is 1 to 2 per 100 000 people in the United States. Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a condition in which a person’s immune system attacks the person’s nervous system and demyelinates nerves in a person’s body.

Case Description: The patient is a 64-year-old male who received physical therapy services following a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The condition came on with insidious onset and the patient had no signs or symptoms prior to his diagnosis. The patient was evaluated and treated by my clinical instructor (CI), who is a licensed physical therapist, and me, with subsequent treatment sessions being performed by me. I treated the patient for four weeks before my clinical experience finished.

Interventions: Physical therapy interventions focused on improving strength, range of motion (ROM, transfer training, and gait training.

Outcomes: Over the course of his physical therapy treatments in a transitional care unit, the patient made improvements in strength, range of motion, transfer training, and gait training. He met some of his long-term goals and short-term goals while I was there. He was still receiving physical therapy services following the completion of my time at the transitional care unit.

Discussion: PT evidence supports patient progress with Guillain-Barre Syndrome to improve strength, range of motion, ability to transfer, gait mechanics, and cardiovascular endurance

Download
COinS