PHYSICAL THERAPY INTERVENTIONS FOR THE PATIENTS WITH HEREDITARY SPASTIC PARAPARESIS– AN EXPLORATORY CASE REPORTS

Background and purpose:Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a genetic disorder characterised by progressiveweakness and spasticity of the lower limbs. To date, the structured rehabilitation programme for thepatientwith HSP is not documented. The objective of the study is to illustrate the effectiveness of the structured 8-week intensive rehabilitation programme (SEIRP).Case description:Two middle aged adult patients with HSPwere included in this case reports. Both of them were brothers and sisters and classified under pureHSP type.Case 1 was a 45-year old with equinovarus deformity, paraparesis and severe spasticity. Case 2 was a43-year oldfemale presented with toe walking on left due to severe spasticity and hyperreflexia of the lower limbs.Interventions:The participants were given intensive physiotherapy programme which includes, stretching,strengthening and functional exercise program for the period of 8 weeks. Each treatment sessions lasted forabout 60-90 minutes per day, 6 days per week.Outcomes:The outcome measures used were Timed Up and Gotest (TUG), Functional Reach Test (FRT), timed 10 m Walk Test (10mWT) and Two-minute Walk Test (2MWT).Baseline measurements were taken before initiating the intervention, at 4thweek and end of 8thweek.Results:On completion of 8-week intensive physiotherapy programme results in Improvements were noted in alltheoutcome measures.Conclusion:SEIRP may be feasible and beneficial in improving the functional abilities inpatients with HSP.