Influence of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the muscle tonus and amplitude of movement in HTLV-1-infected patients with HAM/TSP

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Kelly Helorany Alves Costa, Tatiane Bahia do Vale Silva, Givago da Silva Souza, Richelma de Fátima de Miranda Barbosa
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: HAM/TSP; Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; Physiotherapy; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0115-2017; https://doaj.org/article/fc6ac40572694417b137e4028a1bc6bf

Abstract An HTLV-1-infected patient can develop paraparesis that limits their movements. Rehabilitation techniques could improve the motor abilities of these patients. The present study investigates five cases of physical therapy intervention in HTLV-1 patients to evaluate the influence of functional rehabilitation on the tonus and range of motion (ROM) of HTLV-1 patients with spasticity. The patients had a gain of ROM, especially in the lower limb, and reduction in hypertonia/spasticity after functional treatment. The reduction in hypertonia increased the ROM. Thus, functional methods may be valuable for the rehabilitation of HTLV-1 patients with neurological damage.