Rehabilitative Approach Toward a Japanese Encephalitis Patient via Therapy Ball: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a significant mosquito-borne viral encephalitis, primarily affecting children in India.
• Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) targets the central nervous system, leading to symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, and altered consciousness.
• Current JE management focuses on supportive care and symptom management to prevent neurological sequelae.

Observation:

• A five-year-old girl presented with severe neurological deficits including loss of swallowing, speech, diminished muscle tone, and regression of developmental milestones post-JE.
• A rehabilitative approach was designed, incorporating a therapy ball with a standard physiotherapy protocol.
• Treatment was administered over four weeks, with pre- and post-treatment assessments using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88).

Findings:

• The therapy ball intervention, alongside physiotherapy, demonstrated positive outcomes in the patient's rehabilitation.
• Objective measures indicated improvements in motor function and muscle tone following the four-week treatment protocol.
• The case highlights the potential of targeted rehabilitative strategies in managing JE-induced neurological deficits.

Implications:

• This case report underscores the therapeutic value of incorporating specialized equipment like therapy balls into physiotherapy regimens for pediatric JE patients.
• Early and comprehensive rehabilitation may be crucial for mitigating long-term neurological impairments associated with Japanese encephalitis.
• Further research into standardized therapy ball protocols for JE rehabilitation is warranted to optimize patient recovery and functional outcomes.