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International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations

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Physiotherapy and Mobility

Everyday tasks such as getting up in the morning, walking, and climbing stairs are often taken for granted. As ALS/MND progresses, a person’s mobility may be affected. People living with ALS/MND can find support for mobility and movement via their physiotherapist.

The effects of ALS/MND on a person’s mobility can vary depending on the individual. Muscle weakness, muscle cramping, paralysis in certain muscles, loss of range in motion and flexibility, or muscle spasticity are common reasons mobility is affected.

A physiotherapist, individually or alongside the occupational therapist and orthotist, helps support mobility and movement for people living with ALS/MND. Their role can include providing exercises to maintain and support the regular movement. In addition, they can offer suggestions to posture and activities to encourage mobility and work with people with ALS/MND to navigate the many technical devices and equipment available to them.

There are equipment and devices to support mobility for people living with ALS/MND. People with ALS/MND have a range of options for equipment, such as canes and walking sticks, orthotic devices, walkers/rollators and wheelchairs. The physiotherapist can help people narrow down the best options for their individual needs.

For more information on the physiotherapist’s role and support for mobility with ALS/MND, refer to the resources provided below.

Click on the icon below to visit our playlist of videos related to Physiotherapy and Mobility.

The following are resources from Members of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations on the topic of Physiotherapy and Mobility.

What Does the Physiotherapist Do?

The physiotherapist’s role for people living with ALS/MND is explained in this short resource provided by the ALS Centrum Nederlands. This resource discusses the areas in which a physiotherapist can give aid and support. The ALS Centrum Nederlands also offers additional links to learn more about equipment that a physiotherapist may recommend.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/kennisplatform/wat-doet-de-fysiotherapeut/

Language: Dutch, English
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapy, Physiotherapist, Mobility, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Physiotherapy in ALS

The ALS Lige Belgium created a thorough guide for people living with ALS/MND and their caregivers. The guide outlines the overarching goals of physiotherapy for people living with ALS/MND. This booklet also contains diagrams and directions for common exercises or activities from physiotherapy for people with ALS/MND. Additionally, this guide provides information on tools and resources that people living with ALS/MND can use to support mobility and daily activities.

https://als.be/sites/default/files/uploads/Physiotherapy_pALS_-_Manual_physiotherapists.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Physiotherapy, Mobility, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Physiotherapy and Exercise with MND

The MND Association (MNDA) provides this detailed resource on physiotherapy and its benefits for people living with ALS/MND. This resource answers frequently asked questions about the physiotherapist’s role and the general structure and format of appointments. Additionally, exercise types and treatments are also discussed.

https://www.mndassociation.org/app/uploads/2015/06/6A-Physiotherapy-1.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Physiotherapy, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapist, Mobility, For People with ALS/MND

Muscle Weakness with MND

The MND Association (MNDA) focuses on muscle weakness in this guide for people living with ALS/MND. This resource explains the process of weakening muscles with ALS/MND, strategies to help with these changes, and the available equipment to people as the disease progresses.

https://www.mndassociation.org/professionals/management-of-mnd/management-by-symptoms/muscle-weakness/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Physiotherapy, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, For People with ALS/MND

Mobility and Movement

This resource page is provided by the MND Association (MNDA). It discusses some of the aspects of mobility for people living with ALS/MND. Topics covered in this resource include the multidisciplinary healthcare team that may assist with mobility and movement for people living with ALS/MND. This resource also discusses the equipment for mobility and movement, potential home improvements, and changes with driving.

https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/living-with-mnd/mobility-and-movement/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Occupational Therapist, Daily Living, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Mobility and ALS

This factsheet describing how mobility may be affected by ALS/MND is provided for people living with ALS/MND by The ALS Association (ALSA). The expected changes in mobility alongside the multidisciplinary healthcare team that can aid with these changes are discussed.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/fyi-mobility-and-als

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapy, For People with ALS/MND

Functioning When Mobility is Affected by ALS

This extensive guide is provided by The ALS Association (ALSA) and details many aspects of mobility and daily living for people living with ALS/MND. It introduces the multidisciplinary healthcare team and describes their role. This guide also provides tips, strategies, and exercises to support mobility for people living with ALS/MND. Information on available equipment and home adaptations is also offered.

https://www.als.org/sites/default/files/2020-04/lwals_07_2017.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Mobility, Daily Living, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Orthotic Devices with ALS/MND

This guide provided by The ALS Association (ALSA) discusses the multidisciplinary healthcare team that can support people living with ALS/MND in exploring and deciding on the right orthotic devices for them. Certain devices that people living with ALS/MND can use are also discussed.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/fyi-orthotic-devices

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

ALS & Mobility

We created this guide to help you navigate changes that may occur due to ALS. In this guide you will find information on durable medical equipment (DME). This equipment will allow you to get around your home and out in the community. This guide is just a general place to start. If you have any questions, please contact your ALS care team.

https://lesturnerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Mobility-Guide-Final.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Care and Support Guides and Manuals, Equipment, Communications and Assistive Technology, For Clinicians, For Families and Caregivers

ALS & Home Modifications

Whether adding a ramp, remodelling, or moving, information about what features are useful and practical is important, especially as adding unnecessary or poorly designed elements add costs to a budget. Your ALS care team can provide you with resources and help brainstorm cost effective ways to modify your home. While no two people with ALS are alike or will progress the same way, there is a great deal of collective knowledge and wisdom available from your ALS care team, people living with ALS and caregivers. Our intention is to provide you with information that you need today and tomorrow.

https://lesturnerals.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Home-Modifications-Guide-Final.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mobility, Care and Support Guides and Manuals, Equipment, Communications and Assistive Technology, For Clinicians, For Families and Caregivers

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Care services

  • Genetic Counselling & Testing
  • Mental Health Support
  • Nursing and Symptom Management
  • Nutrition and Swallowing
  • Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living
  • Physiotherapy and Mobility
  • Respiratory Care
  • Speech Therapy and Communication
  • Support for Family & Caregivers
  • Technology

  • MNDaSG Group PALS & CALS, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Singapore (MNDaSG)

    MNDaSG Group PALS & CALS, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Singapore (MNDaSG)

  • David Solomon, Diagnosed 2015, MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

    David Solomon, Diagnosed 2015, MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

  • Steve Gallagher, ALS Society of Canada

    Steve Gallagher, ALS Society of Canada
    Picture1

  • Claudia Gotti, Brazil

    Claudia Gotti, Brazil

  • Brigitte Wernli,  Association ALS Switzerland,  Diagnosed 2014

    Brigitte Wernli, Association ALS Switzerland, Diagnosed 2014

  • Inta Grubb, Diagnosed 2014,  MND Australia

    Inta Grubb, Diagnosed 2014, MND Australia

  • Antonio Ventriglia,  ALS Liga Belgium,  Diagnosed 2013

    Antonio Ventriglia, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2013

  • Graham Johnson, MND Australia

    Graham Johnson, MND Australia

  • Liong Ting Ngu, MND Malaysia, Diagnosed 2014

    Liong Ting Ngu, MND Malaysia, Diagnosed 2014

  • Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

    Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

  • Christian Bär, Germany

    Christian Bär, Germany

  • Ailsa Malcolm-Hutton, Diagnosed 2013,  MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

    Ailsa Malcolm-Hutton, Diagnosed 2013, MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

  • Colm Francis Davis, Ireland

    Colm Francis Davis, Ireland

  • Yessenia Hernandez Mendoza, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

    Yessenia Hernandez Mendoza, Apoyo Integral Gila A.C., Diagnosed 2018, Mexico

  • David Bishop

    David Bishop

  • Fabio Carvalho, Associação Pró-Cura da ELA, Brazil

    Fabio Carvalho, Associação Pró-Cura da ELA, Brazil

  • Anita Forte, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Anita Forte, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • Joyce Rusinak, Forbes Norris ALS Center, USA

    Joyce Rusinak, Forbes Norris ALS Center, USA

  • Claire Garry, USA

    Claire Garry, USA
    20200117_214643

  • Alberto Baez Murillo, Colombia

    Alberto Baez Murillo, Colombia

  • Steve

    Steve

  • Ali Var, Turkey

    Ali Var, Turkey

  • Jon Newsome, USA

    Jon Newsome, USA

  • Dr Shelly Hoover

    Dr Shelly Hoover

  • Jason Goodman, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Jason Goodman, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • Maria Santos Garcia Tellez, Diagnosed 2017 , FYADENMAC, Mexico

    Maria Santos Garcia Tellez, Diagnosed 2017 , FYADENMAC, Mexico

  • Kirsten Harley,  Diagnosed 2013,  Australia

    Kirsten Harley, Diagnosed 2013, Australia

  • Animesh Kumar, Diagnosed 2013 , Asha Ek Hope Foundation, India

    Animesh Kumar, Diagnosed 2013 , Asha Ek Hope Foundation, India

  • Peng Yi-Wen

    Peng Yi-Wen

  • Angie Bordaen, Diagnosed 2014,  ALS Liga België, Belgium

    Angie Bordaen, Diagnosed 2014, ALS Liga België, Belgium

  • Jorge Melo, ABrELA, Brazil

    Jorge Melo, ABrELA, Brazil

  • Bruno Leanza Mantegna, Diagnosed 1999 , AISLA Onlus, Italy

    Bruno Leanza Mantegna, Diagnosed 1999 , AISLA Onlus, Italy

  • Wilfried Leusing

    Wilfried Leusing

  • Den Haag, Diagnosed 2016 , The Netherlands

    Den Haag, Diagnosed 2016 , The Netherlands

  • Ana María Zavala, FYADENMAC, Diagnosed 2019, Mexico

    Ana María Zavala, FYADENMAC, Diagnosed 2019, Mexico

  • Shera Mukherjee, Diagnosed 2013,  Asha Ek Hope Foundation, India

    Shera Mukherjee, Diagnosed 2013, Asha Ek Hope Foundation, India

  • Luis Antonio Pimenta Lima, Brazil

    Luis Antonio Pimenta Lima, Brazil

  • Josée Kolijn-de Man, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Patients Connected, The Netherlands

    Josée Kolijn-de Man, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Patients Connected, The Netherlands

  • Fabio Correia

    Fabio Correia

  • Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

    Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

  • Olga Cosentino, Diagnosed 2013,  Asociación ELA Argentina

    Olga Cosentino, Diagnosed 2013, Asociación ELA Argentina

  • Imelda Arenas, ACELA, Colombia

    Imelda Arenas, ACELA, Colombia

  • Dad

    Dad

  • Susan Keldani, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Susan Keldani, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • Shay Rishoni

    Shay Rishoni

  • Mike Small, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, UK

    Mike Small, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, UK

  • Bjarne Hytjanstorp, ALS Norge, Norway

    Bjarne Hytjanstorp, ALS Norge, Norway

  • Frank "Papa" Taylor, USA

    Frank “Papa” Taylor, USA

  • Horacio Fritzer, Argentina

    Horacio Fritzer, Argentina

  • Osiel Mendoza, Diagnosed 2016 ,  ALS Therapy Development Institute, USA

    Osiel Mendoza, Diagnosed 2016 , ALS Therapy Development Institute, USA

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