PhysicalTherapy.com Phone: 866-782-6258


Factors That May Contribute to Poorer Outcome with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS

January 25, 2017

Question

What factors may contribute to a poorer outcome in people with Guillain-Barre Syndrome?  

Answer

According to research, the following factors may contribute to a poorer outcome:

  • If the patient is older at age of onset
  • If the patient requires respiratory support and further dependence for breathing
  • If the patient experiences abnormal peripheral nerve function
  • If the patient was not given plasma or IV immunoglobin therapy; no plasmapheresis
  • If the patient has a variant of GBS with primary axonal degeneration; regeneration of the axon and myelin sheath takes twice as much work
  • If there is a progression to quadriplegia
  • If the disease was severe at presentation
  • If one of the causing factors was the Campylobacter jejuni infection in the small intestines (causes diarrhea)

 


jennifaye v brown

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS has 35 years of clinical experience focused in neurorehabilitation across the continuum of care and has presented numerous continuing education courses on adult neurologic assessment and treatment intervention for acquired brain injury, particularly stroke.  Her primary research explored the perceptions of individuals with stroke regarding their experiences with AFO fabrication, modification, and maintenance, and how the AFO impacts walking and participation in life roles, resulting in the book, Brace Yourself - Everything You Need to Know About AFOs After Stroke. She is an NDT-trained therapist with six additional courses taken after the NDT (Bobath) Three Week Course on Treatment of Adult Hemiplegia course.  As an Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor by the Clinical Instructor Education Board and a four 10-year term board-certified neurologic clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the APTA, Dr. Brown has taught at six PT and two PTA programs. She is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, a member of the APTA, Neurology Section of the APTA, SC Chapter of the APTA, and Athletics & Fitness Association of America, and a graduate of the prestigious APTA Fellowship in Education Leadership.


Related Courses

Innovative Interventions for Resolving Drop Foot Without AFOs - A Webinar for Physical Therapist Assistants
Presented by Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Course: #4973Level: Intermediate2 Hours
  'Very detailed'   Read Reviews
This course aims to review the causes of foot drop and offer solutions to address foot drop when an AFO is unavailable or how to modify one to improve gait function. The emphasis will address pre-swing and swing phase interventions within the scope of practice for physical therapist assistants.

Effective Interventions for Correcting Pelvic Hike in Low or High Tone Lower Extremity – Insights for Physical Therapist Assistants
Presented by Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Course: #4975Level: Intermediate2 Hours
  'Definitely the use of appropriate case studies and explaining the why behind each step of progression'   Read Reviews
Pelvic hike as a result of an upper or lower motor lesion can result in atypical gait patterns with compensatory strategies, causing an increase in energy expenditure and the secondary impairment of pain. The purpose of this course is to provide solutions that will address pelvic hike in individuals with neurologic impairment that are within the scope of practice for physical therapist assistants.

Alleviating Knee Hyperextension by Addressing the Ankle and Hip for Individuals with Stroke - A Webinar for Physical Therapist Assistants
Presented by Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Course: #5252Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Instructor very thorough, very detailed and answers questions that bring clarity to clinical practice'   Read Reviews
The purpose of this course is to review the causes of knee hyperextension and offer solutions to address this impairment at the body structure/function and activity level. Intervention emphasis will address therapeutic exercise and activities primarily using the FITT-CORRECT principles that are within the scope of practice for physical therapist assistants.

PTA Exercise Progression Within the Plan of Care for Individuals with Stroke
Presented by Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Jennifaye V. Brown, PT, MSPT, PhD, NCS, CAPS
Course: #5292Level: Advanced2 Hours
  'Easy to follow'   Read Reviews
This course's purpose is to facilitate clinical reasoning and decision-making skills in PTAs for progressing exercises at the body structure, function, and activity levels within the plan of care. The emphasis will address interventions for aerobic activity, strengthening, flexibility, balance, sit-to-stand, and gait that are within the scope of practice for physical therapist assistants.

Complex and Chronic Impairment in Concussion
Presented by Laura Morris, PT, NCS
Recorded Webinar

Presenter

Laura Morris, PT, NCS
Course: #4353Level: Intermediate2 Hours
  'Very informative'   Read Reviews
This webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.