Extended Occupational Therapy Reintegration Strategies for a Woman With Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Case Report.
This case report describes a unique long-term functional recovery process to promote successful community reintegration for a woman with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disease. Her main symptoms were very limited mobility and depressive symptoms due to the unknown cause of and cure for the illness. Holistic occupational strategies helped the client stabilize her emotional state, create a safe home environment, improve a communication method, increase physical activity, and promote social participation. Participation in a fall prevention clinical trial lowered her risk of falling; at 9 mo, she reached 75% of the maximum Social Integration score; at 13 mo, she reached near-normal level for activities of daily living (ADLs) and her fastest time for the Timed Up and Go test; and at 2 yr, she achieved a 100% score in instrumental ADLs. For community integration of clients with GBS, a comprehensive strategic self-management approach should be prescribed for long-term recovery.
Machiko R. Tomita, PhD, is Clinical Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY; machikot@buffalo.edu.
Machiko R
MR
Tomita
Kathryn Buckner, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Warren Barr Gold Coast, Chicago, IL.
Kathryn
K
Buckner
Sumandeep Saharan, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, HCR ManorCare, Chevy Chase, MD.
Sumandeep
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Saharan
Kimberley Persons, DHS, OTR/L, is Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY.
Kimberley
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Persons
Sheng Hui Liao, MS, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Multilingual Therapy Associates, Brooklyn, NY.
Sheng Hui
SH
Liao
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012648:Self Care; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology