Location
LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans
Event Website
https://alliedhealth.lsuhsc.edu/admin/sahpresearchday.aspx
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-4-2024 3:00 PM
End Date
8-4-2024 5:00 PM
Description
Introduction:
This case report highlights the essential role of physical therapy (PT) in managing and providing rehabiliation for a 24-year-old female diagnosed with Wernicke's Encephalopathy. Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neurological brain disorder which characterized by a clinical triad of ophthalmoparesis with nystagmus, ataxia, and confusion. The patient's initial presentation featured impaired coordination, gross muscle weakness, ataxia, and impaired balance leading to signifficantly impaired functional mobility.
Purpose:
To demonstrate the important involvement of PT in the recovery of a patient with Wernick Encephalopathy, detailing plan of care, interventions, and results.
Methods
PT diagnoses identified deficits in gait quality, coordination, weakness, and balance. The care plan covered provided PT interventions two times a week for 45 minutes while also providing a Home exercise program. The plan of care emphasiz massed practice targeting strength, balance, and gait training. Formal outcome measures were performed during the initial visit and were reassessed every 30 days or 6th treatment visit.
Results
Gross bilateral lower extremity strength was identified as evident by increases in Manual muscle testing (MMT). Improvements of balance and functional strength were identified by increases in her 5 times Sit to Stand score and Timed Up to Go score. Gait quality improvement was Identified by the demonstation of decreased gait deficits of the patient.
Discussion:
The case highlights the pivotal role of PT in achieving successful outcome measures and results despite factors that may cause the modification of providing instructions and communicating. Potential improvements for PT with patient's with WE can stem from increasing the amount of research on this diagnosis to help continue providing effective care.
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Malik, "Effectiveness of Physical Therapy on Wernicke's Encephalopathy" (2024). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 5.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2024/2024/5
Included in
Effectiveness of Physical Therapy on Wernicke's Encephalopathy
LSU Health Science Center - New Orleans
Introduction:
This case report highlights the essential role of physical therapy (PT) in managing and providing rehabiliation for a 24-year-old female diagnosed with Wernicke's Encephalopathy. Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is an acute neurological brain disorder which characterized by a clinical triad of ophthalmoparesis with nystagmus, ataxia, and confusion. The patient's initial presentation featured impaired coordination, gross muscle weakness, ataxia, and impaired balance leading to signifficantly impaired functional mobility.
Purpose:
To demonstrate the important involvement of PT in the recovery of a patient with Wernick Encephalopathy, detailing plan of care, interventions, and results.
Methods
PT diagnoses identified deficits in gait quality, coordination, weakness, and balance. The care plan covered provided PT interventions two times a week for 45 minutes while also providing a Home exercise program. The plan of care emphasiz massed practice targeting strength, balance, and gait training. Formal outcome measures were performed during the initial visit and were reassessed every 30 days or 6th treatment visit.
Results
Gross bilateral lower extremity strength was identified as evident by increases in Manual muscle testing (MMT). Improvements of balance and functional strength were identified by increases in her 5 times Sit to Stand score and Timed Up to Go score. Gait quality improvement was Identified by the demonstation of decreased gait deficits of the patient.
Discussion:
The case highlights the pivotal role of PT in achieving successful outcome measures and results despite factors that may cause the modification of providing instructions and communicating. Potential improvements for PT with patient's with WE can stem from increasing the amount of research on this diagnosis to help continue providing effective care.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2024/2024/5