Guillian Barre Syndrome

Question 1

What is ‘Guillian Barre Syndrome’?

Answer 1

A rare disorder where body’s immune system attacks peripheral nerves
(an inflammatory autoimmune disease- attacks itself)

Affects sensory, motor AND autonomic!!

Can damage myelin sheaf & axon (slows/stops conduction

Question 2

What causes ‘Guillian Barre syndrome’?

Answer 2

Unknown, but….

Often occurs after injury, respiratory or viral infection

Question 3

What physiological process is responsible for both weakness & sensory loss in Guillian Barre syndrome?

Answer 3

Destruction of the myelin sheaf

Question 4

Why do motor & sensory changes first occur more distally in hands & feet?

Answer 4

Longer distance for message to travel

Sensory message slows/stops conducting, therefore more in periphery

Question 5

Damage to which nerve types cause difficulty swallowing in people with Guillia Barre Syndrome?

Answer 5

Cranial nerves (peripheral nerves, sensory & motor)
- 12 pairs
Sensory AND motor

Question 6

Guillian Barre Syndrome destroys myelin in only the peripheral nervous system?
TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 6

TRUE!!

Question 7

***OTA/PTA role to help someone with Guillian Barre Syndrome?

Answer 7

PREVENT RESPIRATORY COMPLICATIONS:
Deep breathing & coughing exercises (10x hourly)
Ambulation (if possible)

PREVENT SKIN BREAKDOWN:
Bed & chair positioning
Education = skin care

PREVENT JOIN CONTRACTURES:
Extensibility = to ‘maintain’ (length)
Passive ROM (to limit)
Stretching (past limit)

INCREASE MUSCLE STRENGTH & ENDURANCE:
Strengthening exercises (bodyweight, AAROM)
- Endurance = more reps more often