Occupational therapy rehabilitation for a patient with systemic sclerosis patient: A case report
Keywords:
systemic sclerosis, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, case reportAbstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin hardening and restricts joint on patients with systemic sclerosis movement. This study aimed to investigate the effects of occupational therapy on systemic sclerosis patients in Thailand, where research in this area is limited. The case report involved a 28-year-old Thai female with a 4-year history of symptoms including hardened skin on the face and arms, lip retraction, and deformed wrists with flexion contractures. The rehabilitation treatment lasted 6 months and divided into 2 phases: occupational therapy activities to increase range of motion, hand function training, and activities of daily living (ADL) training. The Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) assessment, and the Barthel ADL Index were used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. After treatment, the patient showed increased skin flexibility, improved range of motion in wrists and elbows, and enhanced hand grip and wrist extension. These improvements led to better self-care, which resulted in enhanced abilities for daily activities and community living skills, such as driving a car and being able to work to support the family business. This study highlights the improvement role of occupational therapy in the rehabilitation of individuals with systemic sclerosis. It is essential to consider the different stages of the disease and when it gets worse so that treatment plans are tailored to each person. The findings can be developed into guidelines for caring for systemic sclerosis patients in Thailand.
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