Physical therapy for a patient through six stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background and Purpose. This case report describes the use of Sinaki and Mu lder's approach to staging amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and function al outcome measures in designing a treatment program for a 59-year-old woma n with ALS. Case Description and Outcomes. As the patient progressed from s tage 1 through stage VI, over 12 months, the physical therapy goals changed from optimizing remaining function, to maintaining functional mobility, an d finally to maximizing quality of life. Discussion. Disease staging and th e use of functional outcome measures provide a framework for physical thera py evaluation and treatment of patients with ALS throughout the disease pro cess. Physical therapists can assist patients with ALS through the provisio n of education, psychological support, rehabilitation programs, and recomme ndations for appropriate equipment and community resources. [Dal Bello-Haas V, Kloos AD, Mitsumoto H. Physical therapy for a patient through six stage s of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.