Tag: Bożena Grochmal-Bach

Therapy for limb apraxia in a patient with the Melas syndrome

Maria Pąchalska, Bogusław Frańczuk, Tadeusz Gałkowski, Bożena Grochmal-Bach, Henryk Knapik, Ewa Gostyk, Bruce MacQueen, Adam Pąchalski, Piotr Pąchalski, Rafał Stabrawa, Irena Jeleńska-Szyguła

Maria Pąchalska, Bogusław Frańczuk, Tadeusz Gałkowski, Bożena Grochmal-Bach, Henryk Knapik, Ewa Gostyk, Bruce MacQueen, Adam Pąchalski, Piotr Pąchalski, Rafał Stabrawa, Irena Jeleńska-Szyguła – Therapy for limb apraxia in a patient with the Melas syndrome. Fizjoterapia Polska 2001; 1(1); 26-38

Abstract
Introduction. The authors report the results of four years of research and therapy of apraxia occurring in a patient with a mitochondrial cytopathy known as the MELAS syndrome, which causes heterogeneous organic changes in the brain. This is an original contribution, since the clinical literature contains no references to apraxia therapy in MELAS. Slowly progressive apraxia of the upper and lower limbs is described, and the rehabilitative potential of a specially developed authorial program entitled “Semantically Controlled Patterns of Motion” (referred to as “SSWR” from the Polish abbreviation) is measured.Material and methods. The patient, K.S., female age 22, diagnosed with MELAS, is under treatment in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation at the Cracow Rehabilitation Center. The extraordinarily complicated clinical picture of her illness (one of the mitochondrial cytopathies) consists of episodic exacerbation overlaid on a patient of slowly progressive symptoms, including dementia, fluctuating aphasia, tactile agnosia, sensorineural deafness, cortical blindness, and slowly progressive ideomotor apraxia. The holistic therapy program involves the indicated pharmacological treatment and comprehensive neurorehabilitation aimed at the polymodal reintegration of higher cortical functions, including voluntary limb movements. The SSWR program is comprised of an authorial set of patterns of limb motion involving both gross and fine movements, along with descriptive humorous names for the individual patterns, in order to support the process of remembering and recalling, since the patient exhibits cognitive disturbances. The effectiveness of the therapy program developed for this patient was assessed by means of standard neuropsychological tests, including the Boston Test of Praxis and the Test of Activities of Daily Life (ADL). Results. It was found that despite the continued development of the illness as measured by the results of MRI examinations, the patient achieved considerable progress in respect to conscious control of limb movements, as indicated by significant improvement in the results from successive administrations of the Boston Test of Praxis. Improvement in general ability to adapt as well as emotional and social functioning, is indicated by the results from standard neuropsychological tests and from the Test of Activities of Daily Life (ADL). Discussion. The authors present the theoretical foundations of the program. Imitating a movement requires that a mental representation of the intended movement be evoked in the brain, after which a motor program (in the seanse of praxis) is formulated and executed. The significance of this discovery for contemporary physiotherapy will be demonstrated.

Key words:
MELAS syndrome, limb apraxia ideomotor apraxia, patterns of motion, neurorehabilitation

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Psychiatric rehabilitation of a patient after myocardial infarct

Bożena Grochmal-Bach

Bożena Grochmal-Bach – Psychiatric rehabilitation of a patient after myocardial infarct. Fizjoterapia Polska 2001; 1(2); 161-166

Abstract
Background. The purpose of this article is to describe the psychiatric rehabilitation of patient RK, who in the course of cardiological rehabilitation subsequent to a myocardial infarct experienced psychopathological symptoms provoked by the crisis situation resulting from his heart attack. A specially developed program of psychiatric rehabilitation was implemented, using goal management techniques. Research methods. The instruments used to evaluate the effects of rehabilitation included clinical interviews oriented towards psychopathological symptoms, an abbreviated version of the Beck Depression inventory, the Claparede Memory Test, the Wechsler Memory Scale – Revised (Polish version), and an authorial Clinical Self-Evaluating Test of Cognitive, Emotional, Vegetative, and Neurobehavioral Disturbances, which includes measurements of anxiety, mood, sleep disturbances, psychomotor arousal, self-esteem, and fatigue. Results. When retested after 6 months of rehabilitation the patient proved to have higher level self-esteem, while symptoms of anxiety, depression, restlessness, and aggression had diminished. Despite the very small doses of antidepressive, antianxiety, and sedative drugs, the patient’s condition improved due various other of the therapy program. Conclusion. The patient described in this article was characterized prior to his heart attack by superficial politeness severing to conceal anxiety and the resultant aggression, which was directly related to the development of cardiomyopathy. The interdisciplinary treatment program involved an entire team, including especially cooperation between the psychiatrist and the physiotherapist. It was directed especially towards improving the patient’s ability to relax and cope with stress constructively, which made it possible to improve the patient’s physical condition in daily functioning, reduce physical and mental tension, ameliorate emotional disturbances, and rebuild disturbed cognitive functions, improvement was obtained not only in the patient’s overall condition, but also in his of life.

Key words:
cardiological rehabilitation, psychoterapy, psychotonic training

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