title: Comprehensive rehabilitative care across the spectrum of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) is a neurodegenerative disease that results in progressive muscle weakness and wasting. There is no known cure and the disease is uniformly fatal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review discusses current concepts in ALS care, from breaking the diagnosis to end-of-life care. People with ALS have several multidisciplinary needs due to a complex and dynamic disease process. They benefit from rehabilitation interventions that are individualized and have the goal of optimizing independence, function, and safety. These strategies also help minimize symptomatic burden and maximize quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient-centered, multidisciplinary care has a significant impact on the life of people with ALS and is the current standard of care for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston VA Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paganoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Chafic
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neuromuscular Section, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nanette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.affiliation: Duke University School of Medicine and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bedlack
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, Spokane, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D013727:Terminal Care
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; assistive device; braces; equipment; function; palliative care; quality of life; rehabilitation; supportive care