Eureka! Institutional Repository

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with motor neuron degeneration, muscle atrophy and paralysis. So far, there is no effective medicinal treatment. Particular importance is given to the rehabilitation of patients with ALS and physical therapy possess a primary role. The role of physiotherapy in the care of people with ALS is not to improve impairment in strength or mobility due to the progressive nature of the condition. Instead, therapy is aimed at assisting the patient to maximise function through provision of aids and adaptive equipments, mobility strategies and transfer techniques in ways that ensure the safety of the patient and the carer as well as management of respiratory and bulbar complication. Stretching and range of movement exercises are widely used both for prevention of muscle contraction and maintaining mobility to the unaffected muscles, as well as, for spasticity management. Individualised moderate strengthening exercises during the early stage of ALS are probably effective in improving the function of patients and should be recommended. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is an established treatment for patients with respiratory insufficiency as it can relieve dyspnoea, increase quality of life, and improve survival outcomes.