Rehabilitation of Patients with MELAS Syndrome: A casereport

Authors

Chia-Sho Yang
Tsung-Ying Li
Shuu-Hai Jiang
Chang-Hung Hsu
Yaw-Don Hsu
Shin-Tsu Chang

Translated Title

MELAS症候群病人之復健：病例報告

Abstract

MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and recurrent stroke-like episodes) syndrome is a mitochondrial disorder. Patients with mitochondrial myopathies typically have exercise-induced symptoms. Thus, patients are often advised to avoid exercise, which leads to deconditioning. Currently, the concept of aerobic exercise training as therapy for mitochondrial disease is not well established. We report the case of a patient with adult-onset MELAS, who responded positively to a low intensity rehabilitation program. Low intensity training was safe and significantly improved our patient's physical fitness. During the 20-month follow-up period, there was no significant reduction in muscle strength and function. Therefore, short-term endurance training was very useful in our patient. Given this result, studies with a proper aerobic exercise protocol and long-term follow-up are warranted.

Language

English

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.6315/2006.34(3)07

First Page

183

Last Page

188

Recommended Citation

Yang, Chia-Sho; Li, Tsung-Ying; Jiang, Shuu-Hai; Hsu, Chang-Hung; Hsu, Yaw-Don; and Chang, Shin-Tsu (2006) "Rehabilitation of Patients with MELAS Syndrome: A casereport," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 34: Iss. 3, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/2006.34(3)07
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol34/iss3/7