Rehabilitation in Spinal Muscular Atrophy; A Narrative Review

Seth Kwame Agyenkwa; Pınar Cibooğlu; Nour Jhar; Ahmet Abo Orabi; Rustem Mustafaoglu

doi:10.58600/eurjther1516

Authors

Seth Kwame Agyenkwa Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Graduate Studies, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1183-5727
Pınar Cibooğlu Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Graduate Studies, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6863-4392
Nour Jhar Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Graduate Studies, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7576-5911
Ahmet Abo Orabi Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Institute of Graduate Studies, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6064-9713
Rustem Mustafaoglu Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7030-0787

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58600/eurjther1516

Keywords:

spinal muscular atrophy, exercise, rehabilitation

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a group of genetic diseases that cause muscle weakness and mobility problems. There are no clear clinical guidelines for assessing and rehabilitating individuals with SMA, despite its increasing prevalence. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of physical therapy's effectiveness in improving treatment outcomes for SMA by analyzing existing literature. A search was conducted in Pubmed, PEDro and Google scholar using relevant keywords. Studies on assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for SMA were included in the review. The review found that assessment must be comprehensive, and rehabilitation approaches include exercise training, positioning, orthotics, and mobility aids, chest physiotherapy, contracture and scoliosis management, and aquatic exercises. Physical therapy improves the quality of life for children with SMA at every stage of the disease. However, there is still insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of physical therapy in managing people with SMA, and more high-quality studies are needed.

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