Guillain-Barre Syndrome Exercise Program
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare disease characterized by the attack of the peripheral nerves by the individual’s immune system. The syndrome potentially affects the muscle-controlling nerves and is common in adults, especially men. In severe cases, the syndrome causes paralysis and loss of motor function. The cause of the disease is immoderately unknown, albeit some studies indicate it proceeds from an infectious illness like a respiratory infection. The common signs and symptoms include legs weakness, which may spread up in the body and inability to walk. Difficulties in chewing and facial movements also characterize this syndrome (Leonhard, 2019). Other signs include rapid heart rate and high or low blood pressure. The treatment consists of immunoglobulin therapy whereby the patient is induced with healthy antibodies from blood donors. The doctors may also recommend plasmapheresis whereby the blood plasma is separated from the blood cells as they are returned to the body.
Safety Precautions during Exercise
While the syndrome is associated with alteration in muscle functioning, physical therapy is vital to curb the disease. As such, various safety precautions are necessary during the exercise. They include avoiding prolonged knee and hip flexion (Simatos et al., 2016). Further, enhance energy conservation by pacing and breaking tasks into steps. Such ensures that the muscles gradually attain their flexibility with minimum pain to the patient during the exercise. It is also essential to allow relaxation of muscles in rhythmic succession.
Relative vs. Absolute Contraindications in Exercise Testing
During the treatment of any disease, it is necessary to avoid some forms of exercise testing. In this case, sound clinical judgment is the core focus in deciding the contraindications for exercise testing. Contraindications refer to the condition that increases the risk of an adverse reaction. GBS is associated with both relatives and absolute contraindications. Some of the relative contraindications include electrolyte aberrations and severe arterial hypertension (Simatos Arsenault et al., 2016). The patient may also experience physical or mental impairment which interferes with the ability to exercise adequately. The absolute contraindications include uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure and acute pulmonary infarction. When a patient incurs these contraindications, the type of treatment and physical exercises should be altered.
Indications of Beneficial of Exercise
According to research, exercise associates with improved physical outcomes of GBS. As the patient engages in physical exercise, the muscles and tendons relax and enhance the grip strength and functional capacity. The performance of muscles significantly increases, and the body stiffness reduces to allow flexibility. As such, patient outcomes are enhanced. A study by Leonhard (2019) indicated that an improvement in FIM motor subscale scores was associated with high-intensity exercise compared with lower intensity exercise. However, the intensity of exercise should be regulated appropriately to avoid incidences of strength reverses.
Appropriate Exercise Testing
Some studies indicate that plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (0.4g/kg weight daily for five days) poise the most effective exercise testing for GBS. However, IVI g is the appropriate approach because it is easier and lenient to administer (Leonhard, 2019). The method is also widely available than the plasma exchange and hastens the recovery process. Further, it is more likely for patients to adhere to IVI g exercise testing than any other method and hence enhancing the outcomes.