Occupational and Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Strategies for COVID-19 Related Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: To describe the occupational and physical therapy strategies used to rehabilitate COVID-19 related Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). DESIGN: Single patient retrospective case report. SETTING: Long-term acute care hospital located in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA. PARTICIPANTS: A 61 year old male admitted for physical and occupational therapy rehabilitation following intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for COVID-19 related GBS. The patient gave his written approval for the creation of this case report. INTERVENTIONS: Individual occupational and physical therapy sessions, occupational and physical therapy co-treatment sessions, and targeted group therapy sessions focused on leg, arm, and fine motor coordination exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Manual muscle testing, range-of-motion, grip-strength, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care, and St. Louis University Mental Status Exam. RESULTS: Despite the unforeseen complication of a distal right fibula fracture, the patient was successfully discharged directly home 56 days after LTACH admission. The patient discharged with clinically improved ambulation, strength, self-care, and cognition. CONCLUSIONS: This unique case highlights the complex and significant rehabilitation needs a patient may require to regain independence after a diagnosis of COVID-19 associated GBS. AUTHOR(S) DISCLOSURES: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.