Paper published by Brazilian researchers proposes new protocol for caregivers of ALS patients

By Valéria Credidio / Ascom LAIS

The care of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is increasingly improved and requires preparation by multidisciplinary teams that work in the search for quality of life of people with ALS. In this perspective, an educational program of self-care was built, via telehealth and booklets, to investigate its effect on the burden and quality of life of caregivers of people with ALS. The authors of the work are researchers from the Laboratory of Technological Innovation in Health (LAIS) in partnership with the Department of Physiotherapy, both from UFRN.

Part of the results achieved by the researchers is published in the scientific article entitled Impact of physiotherapy with telerehabilitation on caregivers of patients with neurological disorders: A systematic review protocol, published in Frontiers Journal, one of the most important journals in the health area.
The work brings a systematic review protocol to evaluate the impact of telerehabilitation on the burden, stress, pain and quality of life of caregivers of people diagnosed with some neurological condition.

According to Professor Raquel Lindquist, one of the authors of the article, the expectation is that the review of the protocols can systematize telererehabilitation strategies for public health in order to improve care for caregivers. “With this work we will be able to identify the best way to manage assistance, use, goals and outcomes to favor a better health condition for caregivers of patients with neurological disorders,” argued the researcher.

About ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is considered a rare, neurodegenerative disease that causes limitations related to cognition, behavior, breathing, food intake, speech, and movement. As the disease progresses, patients become increasingly dependent on their caregivers, often leading to overburdening, reduced time for self-care, and reduced quality of life.

To assist patients with ALS, LAIS has been developing the revELA project since 2019, involving several actions and products for the best care of patients, through possibilities of autonomy and living in society. All actions are based on research aimed at the development of technologies and innovations in treatment, monitoring and definitions of protocols.

Reference

Silva Emília Márcia Gomes de Souza e, de Melo Luciana Protásio, de Souza Aline Alves, de Holanda Ledycnarf Januário, Ribeiro Tatiana Souza, Valentim Ricardo Alexsandro de Medeiros, Lindquist Ana Raquel. Impact of physiotherapy with telerehabilitation on caregivers of patients with neurological disorders: A systematic review protocol. JOURNAL=Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. VOLUME=14. YEAR=2022

Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.951397