ALS

Question 1

What is OT role with a patient diagnosed with ALS?

Answer 1

caregiver education, compensatory strategies, mental health, QOL,

Question 2

In order to have disease what must a person have?

Answer 2

upper and lower motor neuron symptoms, can have bulbar symptoms but sensory is unaffected

Question 3

What are common early symptoms of ALS?

Answer 3

focal weakness in arms and legs, face, or twitching
Dyspnea, fine motor difficulty, swallowing and chewing difficulty

Question 4

Describe the stages of ALS

Answer 4

1: no problems, mild weakness
2: moderate weakness
3: severe weakness
4: wheelchair confined/ severe leg weakness
5: dependent with w/c, severe weakness in arms
6: bedridden, no ADLs, max A