Adult neuro: ALS

Question 1

Adult Neuro: ALS

are there any ALS specific outcomes measures for balance and gait?

Answer 1

• No ALS specific measures for balance or gait but some studies have reported reliability of general measures (TUG, Tinetti) in an ALS population
• ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS)
• ALS Severity Scale
• Norris scale

*Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). Designed to measure balance (including fall risk) and gait function in elderly, but has also been used for patients with various other conditions. Overall score: < 19 = high risk for falls; 19 - 24 = moderate risk for falls; 25 and over = low risk for falls

Question 2

Adult Neuro: ALS

special therapeutic considerations (goals) for patients with ALS

Answer 2

• Prevention of disuse atrophy
• Prevention of overuse injury

*Research: vigorous exercise-damaged muscles with
less than 1/3 of motor units functional. Avoid heavy eccentric exercises

Question 3

Adult Neuro: ALS

research has shown that strength training in the patient with ALS of muscles with less than ___ % of normal strength is ineffective

Answer 3

10%

Question 4

Adult Neuro: ALS

exercise recommendations for ALS

Answer 4

• Concentric, moderate resistance
• ONLY in >3/5 muscles
• Avoid excessive fatigue

Question 5

Adult Neuro: ALS

what is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?

Answer 5

ALS is a progressive, degenerative neurogenic anterior horn disorder characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy

Question 6

Adult Neuro: ALS

intervention in the early stage

Answer 6

• restorative: strengthening, endurance
• preventative: AROM/PROM/stretching

Question 7

Adult Neuro: ALS

intervention in the middle stage

Answer 7

• compensatory: AD, orthoses, modifications
• preventative: AROM/PROM/stretching

Question 8

Adult Neuro: ALS

intervention on the late stage

Answer 8

• preventative: PROM, pulmonary care, pressure relief
• Compensatory