Guillain-Barré Syndrome: The Physical Therapist and Patient Care

Abstract

Patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome frequently incur a severe illness requiring lengthy hospitali zation and prolonged dependency upon physicians, therapists, and mechanical devices. Physical ther apy is adjunctive to overall care in this illness in acute, static, and recovery phases. The therapeutic program is phase-specific and flexible, according to the frequently variable clinical course of the disease. Many preventive measures are included in the program. Care in the acute stage revolves about supportive measures designed to treat prob lems of muscular and respiratory paralysis. In the static phase, treatment is directed toward the pre vention of deformity and avoidance of neural or musculoskeletal injury. In the recovery phase, the therapist employs active measures which are cor related to the pace of neurological recovery.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome Part 1. Background and Diagnosis

“…However, the degree of protein elevation is not correlated with the severity of the illness. 8 SUMMARY GBS is a rare neurological disease thought to result from an immunological reaction. Characteristically, the patient complains of paraesthesiae of the feet which may spread upwards to envelop the whole body.…”

The landry‐guillain‐barré syndrome and pregnancy

“…More recent experience has not confirmed the effect of corticosteriods in LGBS, however, irrespective of whether the patient is pregnant or not (10, 13, 26). It is important that physiotherapy is given throughout the period of illness (5).…”