Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Flom-Meland, Cindy

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a condition that occurs when an individual stops drinking alcohol or significantly decreases his or her alcohol intake after long-term dependence. The symptoms that develop vary in severity. Out of the 2 million people who experience alcohol withdrawal in the United States, 500,000 of them require treatment for their symptoms which can include physical therapy. The purpose of this case study is to describe and examine the treatment of a 48-year-old male who presented to the hospital with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, liver failure, and generalized weakness to determine the most effective treatment for individuals with AWS.

Case Description: The patient is a 48-year-old Caucasian male who presented to the hospital with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms and liver failure, who was referred to physical therapy for generalized weakness. His symptoms were severely debilitating, and he required maximum assistance with all functional mobility. The length and severity of his alcohol abuse are unknown.

Intervention: A combination of strengthening exercises, stretches, bed mobility training, sitting tolerance, standing tolerance, transfers, gait training, assistive device training, balance training, coordination training, endurance training, and patient and family education were utilized to improve functional mobility. Over a period of two weeks with daily physical therapy sessions, the exercises gradually progressed, and the patient required less assistance over time.

Outcomes: Following two weeks of physical therapy, the patient demonstrated no pain and lower extremity active range of motion within normal limits for his age. He showcased independence with functional movements but did require a two-wheeled walker to ambulate long distances. He also demonstrated improved lower extremity and trunk strength. The patient’s Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score at the initial PT evaluation was 43, which increased to 118 at discharge. The patient was discharged to an inpatient substance abuse treatment center.

Discussion: This case study adds further evidence to the effectiveness of physical therapy as a treatment option for patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome and the weakness that accompanies it. Further research is needed to make the data generalizable to larger populations.

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