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Physical therapy interventions in generalized hypermobility spectrum disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome:
Mackenzie Garreth Brittain1, Sarah Flanagan1, Lindsey Foreman1
1School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Purpose:
Physical therapy (PT) plays a central role in treating individuals with Generalized Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (G-HSD) and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). However, there is limited research describing these individuals' PT management. This review aims to systematically map the evidence on PT interventions to treat this patient population.
Methods:
A systematic literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase from January 2000 to April 2023 was performed. After the screening process, studies were appraised and classified based on the type of PT interventions used. Five reviewers independently assessed the articles.
Results:
The search produced 757 articles. Twenty-eight met the inclusion criteria. The studies included 630 participants, mostly female, with a mean age of 26.2 (ranging from 2 to 69). The PT interventions used were therapeutic exercise, patient instruction, motor function training, adaptive equipment, manual therapy, and functional training.
Conclusions:
The evidence indicates that therapeutic exercise and motor function training are efficacious methods to treat individuals with G-HSD and hEDS. There is also weak evidence for using adaptive equipment, patient instruction, manual therapy, and functional training. Recent studies emphasize multidisciplinary care and understanding of the psychological impact of G-HSD/hEDS. Additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness and dosage of PT interventions.
