Occupational and Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Strategies for COVID-19 Related Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To describe the occupational and physical therapy strategies used to rehabilitate COVID-19 related Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). <h3>Design</h3> Single patient retrospective case report. <h3>Setting</h3> Long-term acute care hospital located in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA. <h3>Participants</h3> A 61 year old male admitted for physical and occupational therapy rehabilitation following intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for COVID-19 related GBS. The patient gave his written approval for the creation of this case report. <h3>Interventions</h3> Individual occupational and physical therapy sessions, occupational and physical therapy co-treatment sessions, and targeted group therapy sessions focused on leg, arm, and fine motor coordination exercises. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Manual muscle testing, range-of-motion, grip-strength, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care, and St. Louis University Mental Status Exam. <h3>Results</h3> Despite the unforeseen complication of a distal right fibula fracture, the patient was successfully discharged directly home 56 days after LTACH admission. The patient discharged with clinically improved ambulation, strength, self-care, and cognition. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This unique case highlights the complex and significant rehabilitation needs a patient may require to regain independence after a diagnosis of COVID-19 associated GBS. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.