Importance of Mobility with GBS

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Brent Boyle started his usual weekend as a little-league softball coach, however, upon waking realized something was off; his fingers and toes were tingling. Brent brushed this off, assuming it must have had something to do with how he slept. As he continued his day, he assumed the tingling would subside. However, the next morning his entire body was filled with the same tingling sensation and he was unable to move his body including picking up his head. After realizing the condition had significantly worsened, filled with fear Brent and his wife rushed to the hospital. There he was sent to the Clevland Clinic 2 hours away and he was then diagnosed with Guillain Barré Syndrome.  

Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the myelin on the neurons of the Peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS transfers information to and from the Central nervous system. During GBS, the body undergoes molecular mimicry and confuses the neurons with invaders. These antibodies then attack the neuron at the myelin sheath, exposing the axons causing peripheral nerve damage throughout the body. This then results in ascending, symmetric muscular weakness and numbness starting in the lower extremities. This can lead to autonomic dysfunction and even respiratory failure. 

https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Guillain-Barre_syndrome


At this point, Brent was completely quadriplegic and was placed on a ventilator. Brent was incubated for 9 days and the doctors were unsure of his prognosis. 

"For every 1 day you are in bed is 3 days of rehabilitation." 

With too much bed rest comes decreased capabilities of recovering successfully. The next goal of Brent's doctors was to get him mobilized. They used a mechanical lift to safely and effectively get him into a chair every day. Brent looked forward to his time getting out of bed and into a chair. Soon after, Brent began improving daily and eventually was able to travel to the hospital's rooftop. 

Brent was discharged only 5 days after starting his mobility program!!!! This is an amazing success story for the importance of mobility and advocating for your clients. Brent is now healthy and back to doing the things he enjoys. 

View Brent's story at the Clevland Clinic here. 

References

Brent BOYLE: Guillain-Barre Syndrome Story. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/patient-stories/6-early-mobilization-optimizes-recovery.

Lancaster, S., (2021, August). OT537: Neurological Aspects of Occupational Performance,             Lecture GBS [Powerpoint Slide].                     
        Retrieved from https://blackboard.uthsc.edu/ultra/courses/_18020_1/cl/outline.

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