Intervención de Terapia Ocupacional con dos jóvenes hermanas con Ataxia de Friedreich: un reporte de caso

Friedreich’s ataxia is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease characterized by the deterioration of the nerve cells and linked to low levels of protein fraxatin. The consequences involve a progressive decreased muscular strength, coordination and occupational performance dysfunction. The article describes the cases of two young sisters with this diagnosis seen by students of the Occupational Therapy Program of the Universidade Federal de Sergipe in Lagarto City, Brazil. The intervention for both women used biomechanical model approaches such as graded activity and compensatory strategies. Therapeutic sessions were 50-minutes long, twice a week, from October 2014 to February 2015, at the Occupational Therapy Clinic of the University Clinical School. Results were measured by using the Functional Independence Measure, Kendall’s muscle strength manual testing, and goniometry for range of motion. Following 5 months of intervention authors observed increased Functional Independence Measure scores, and maintenance of muscle strength. The range of motion was also improved and maintained. At the end of the sessions both individual’s showed better performance in carrying out their activities of daily living. This report provides evidence of the importance of the role that occupational therapy plays in the wellbeing of individuals with Friedreich’s ataxia.