PSP Therapy
OneRehab offers progressive supranuclear palsy occupational and physical therapy to help patients live better lives. Our techniques aim at boosting strength and preventing the progression of the condition.
What is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy?
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a brain disorder that results from the breakdown of cells in the areas that control movement and thinking. This condition results in difficulty with balance, movement coordination, vision, and swallowing. The condition has no specific cause, therefore, sporadic.
The condition arises when brain cells controlling movement, thinking, and other functions deteriorate. Another name for PSP is Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome.
- Progressive refers to the condition becoming worse over time.
- Supranuclear is the region of the brain that the condition affects
- Palsy refers to a disorder resulting in some muscles weakening
Though the condition continues to worsen, progressive supranuclear palsy therapy is highly advisable. At OneRehab, we have the best team to alleviate PSP symptoms. Our array of exercises help a patient improve balance and muscle flexibility.
The disease also affects vision by impairing the muscles controlling the eyes. Thus, making it difficult to see things or focus. It is a rare degenerative condition that is often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease. The conditions may have similar symptoms; however, in PSP, the swallowing and speech difficulties are much more advanced.
Stages of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
There are four stages of PSP depending on the severity of the disease:
- Early or Initial Stage
- Mid Stage
- Advanced Stage
- End of Life Stage
The first stage of progressive supranuclear palsy lasts between the onset of the disease to one year. During this stage, the patients may lose balance, have blurred vision, experience tiredness, have blurred vision, and be highly irritable.
In the second stage, the symptoms worsen, and the patient may have difficulty leading a normal life. Some of the symptoms of PSP in the mid-stage are difficulty in swallowing, dysphagia, slurred speech, blepharospasm, and body pains.
In the advanced stage of progressive supranuclear palsy, the patient requires palliative care. The patient may require mobility assistance like a wheelchair. Speech and social interactions are almost impossible. The visual ability is also compromised.
The last stage of PSP is characterized by compromised whole body function. The patient requires assistance to undertake any activity.
Causes of PSP
The cause for PSP is still largely unknown. Signs and symptoms begin when cells in the brain deteriorate. Mostly, the affected brain cells are the ones that control movement, thinking, and other vital functions.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the deteriorating cells from this condition contain an abnormal amount of tau protein. This same protein is also found in patients with other degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Tau causes the cells to stop working properly, making them die.
The tau deposits can vary from one patient to another, causing different symptoms. Changes in genes can also cause PSP. However, there is no genetic link causing progressive supranuclear palsy yet. It is a low probability that a parent can pass the condition to their child. Starting PSP physical therapy can help a patient relearn lost skills.
The only established risk factor for progressive supranuclear palsy is age. It mostly affects people over the age of 60 though there are cases among people in their 40s. It is not known to affect people below 40 years.
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Symptoms of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
The onset of the symptoms is often subtle. As the condition progresses, the symptoms become more severe. The first sign of the problem is when one experiences balance issues when walking. Sometimes patients can fall or feel uncomfortable while walking or become rigid. The most common symptoms of PSP are:
- Impaired balance
- Difficulty controlling eye movement
- Difficulty in speech or swallowing
- Dementia
- Unusual outburst of emotions at unexpected times
- Getting angry without a reason
- Hand tremors
- Depression
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty controlling eyelids causing them to blink or eyes to stay open
- Stiffness and moving awkwardly
As with most progressive conditions, the earlier one starts progressive supranuclear palsy therapy, the better. We are the leading therapy providers helping patients create an exercise program that improves flexibility.
Our occupational and physical therapists have worked with many PSP patients. Therefore, you can count on us for effective interventions to curb the progression of the condition. We also help you to improve your quality of life through customized exercises that enhance movement coordination.
PSP Diagnosis
There is no standard test for diagnosing this condition. Instead, doctors base the diagnosis on the symptom’s patterns. First, the doctor eliminates any other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. One such condition is Parkinson’s.
The variety of PSP symptoms can hinder an accurate diagnosis as they overlap with many other conditions. It can take time for a doctor to give a precise diagnosis. Patients can go through brain scans, memory and concentration tests, and check their understanding of languages.
Patients with affected speech can start progressive supranuclear palsy speech therapy to improve their cognitive and speech skills.
Supranuclear Palsy Treatment & Management
Research continues on the treatment option for progressive supranuclear palsy. However, there is no cure for the condition yet. Currently, treatments are available to manage the symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. PSP can affect various aspects of life. At OneRehab, we customize treatment to meet each patient’s needs.
Speech Therapy for PSP
It is common for patients with PSP to experience speech changes. Depending on the stage of the condition, speech can slur or become too fast, making it hard to understand. The voice quality can also change where it can become strained or harsh.
When cognitive thinking is affected, it can also affect one’s ability to communicate. There is also a reduction of facial expressions as eye movement is also affected. Progressive supranuclear palsy speech therapists assess all the affected aspects and suggest the best strategies to restore your speech.
The treatment plan can entail working with friends and therapy to improve the quality of life. Therapy also improves speech intelligibility and voice quality. It also alleviates swallowing difficulty. You also get advice on various speech therapy exercises to do at home and the correct food consistency.
Occupational & Physical Therapy for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
As the condition progresses, the patient’s movement is affected. They also experience difficulties with balance. Studies show that aerobics and other motor-cognitive rehabilitation processes can help patients with PSP improve. Working with our progressive supranuclear palsy therapists sparks a patient’s interest.
Physical therapy tailored to attend to a patient’s balance can reduce injury potential. It also equips a patient with manoeuvring skills if they fall. We also aid patients in learning how to use their equipment to help in balance or mobility.
Additionally, patients get skills to help them adapt to daily activities. In OneRehab PSP physical therapy clinic, we also advise you on how to prevent trips. It also includes pointing out hazardous areas in your home that could lead to falls and injuries. Such issues include poor lighting, crowded corridors and walkways, and rugs that are not well secured.
Exercises for PSP Patients Do at Home
Apart from the activities you engage in during therapy sessions in our facility, you can consider the following exercises to improve your stability and mental capacity:
- Gait training like leg lifting and walking on a treadmill
- Aerobic exercises, e.g. swimming and jumping jacks
- Flexibility and strength training like climbing stairs and working out with bands
- Yoga
- Visual tracking activities like following a swinging object
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Medication
Patients can receive treatment to reduce stiffness and other symptoms by improving balance. Medications similar to those in Parkinson’s are used to manage similar symptoms. Antidepressants can also help with depression and mood-stabilizing.
Botox injections and bifocal/prism eyeglasses can help with eye movement problems. For patients experiencing dysphagia, they can have feeding tubes to avoid malnutrition.
More Resources
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/progressive-supranuclear-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20355659
- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Progressive-Supranuclear-Palsy-Fact-Sheet
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/progressive-supranuclear-palsy
OneRehab | Richardson
1761 International Pkwy Suite 135, Richardson, TX 75081, United States
OneRehab | Dallas
6080 N Central Expy #125 Dallas, TX 75206
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