Views on Using Psychoactive Substances to Self-Manage Functional Neurological Disorder: Online Patient Survey Results.

Objective: Functional neurological disorder (FND) causes a high burden of disability and distress. Although it is a common disorder, there is a pressing need for improved access to evidence-based treatments. With difficulties in finding effective treatment, some people with FND may seek alternative means of symptom relief, such as legal and illicit psychoactive substances, although the prevalence and nature of such self-management strategies are currently unclear. Additionally, psychoactive substances may represent novel treatment research opportunities, particularly for those with suboptimal improvement. The investigators examined the use of self-management techniques, as well as perspectives on novel therapies, in this patient population. Methods: An online survey was created to assess self-management strategies and views on novel treatments for FND, including psychedelic therapy. The survey was accessible for 1 month, and respondents were recruited internationally through social media and patient groups. A total of 1,048 respondents from 16 countries completed the survey. Results: Almost half (46%) of 980 respondents reported having tried legal psychoactive substances for the management of their FND symptoms and, on average, nicotine, alcohol, and cannabidiol were reported as modestly effective. Additionally, 15% of respondents reported having used illicit substances, mostly cannabis, to manage FND, with the majority reporting moderate effectiveness and experiencing no or minimal physical (90%) and psychological (95%) sequelae. Many respondents (46%) reported that they would be willing to try medically supervised psychedelic therapy (with 19% of respondents ambivalent) if it were found to be safe and effective. Conclusions: Many people with FND seek alternative means of symptom management outside usual medical care, including legal and illicit psychoactive substances. Further research exploring novel treatment options, such as psychedelics, in FND may be warranted.

Empirical Developments in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) is an empirically supported individualized psychotherapy for patients with borderline personality disorder. This review highlights its development and current status. METHODS: A review of the theoretical background underpinning TFP and empirical advances in the development of TFP provide perspective. RESULTS: Otto Kernberg's object relations model of personality and its implications for assessment and diagnosis of personality disorders are described. The authors review the programmatic research that has been developed and has demonstrated the efficacy of TFP. In view of the empirical studies that have demonstrated the successful outcomes and processes of TFP for patients with borderline personality disorder, compared with other approaches, TFP has been applied to a broader range of difficulties related to patients' self-functioning and interpersonal functioning across the range of severities in personality pathology, consistent with the Alternative DSM-5 Model for Personality Disorders. The authors discuss borderline personality organization in the context of interpersonal, neurocognitive, and self-regulatory dysfunction, including preliminary findings. CONCLUSIONS: The theoretical and empirical advances in TFP lead to future directions for research evaluating personality disorder and its treatment.

Advances in Treatment of Frontotemporal Dementia.

In this review, the authors explored the clinical features of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), focusing on treatment. The clinical features of FTD are unique, with disinhibition, apathy, loss of empathy, and compulsions common. Motor changes occur later in the illness. The two major proteins that aggregate in the brain with FTD are tau and TDP-43, whereas a minority of patients aggregate FET proteins, primarily the FUS protein. Genetic causes include mutations in MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72. There are no medications that can slow FTD progression, although new therapies for the genetic forms of FTD are moving into clinical trials. Once a diagnosis is made, therapies should begin, focusing on the family and the patient. In the setting of FTD, families experience a severe burden associated with caregiving, and the clinician should focus on alleviating this burden. Advice around legal and financial issues is usually helpful. Careful consideration of environmental changes to cope with abnormal behaviors is essential. Most compounds that have been used to treat dementia of the Alzheimer's disease type are not effective in FTD, and cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine should be avoided. Although the data are scant, there is some evidence that antidepressants and second-generation antipsychotics may help individual patients.

APOE ε4 Carrier Status as Mediator of Effects of Psychotropic Drugs on Clinical Changes in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Neuropsychiatric syndromes have been associated with memory dysfunction and risk of and earlier onset of dementia, but how psychotropic drugs affect clinical changes in Alzheimer's disease is not entirely clear. This study aimed to assess the prospective effects of psychotropic drugs on cognitive and functional changes in Alzheimer's disease according to APOE ε4 carrier status. METHODS: The study included consecutive outpatients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (N=193) and examined score variations at 1 year on the following tests: Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes, Mini-Mental State Examination, Severe Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Brazilian version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, and Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Analyses of score variations accounted for the use of psychotropic drugs or the number of different medications in use, as well as APOE ε4 carrier status, with significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: For APOE ε4 noncarriers (N=90), cholinesterase inhibitors were beneficial regarding caregiver burden (p=0.030) and basic functionality (p=0.046), memantine was harmful regarding SMMSE score changes (p=0.032), second-generation antipsychotics had nonsignificant harmful effects on SMMSE score changes (p=0.070), and antiepileptic therapy (p=0.001) and the number of different medications in use (p=0.006) were harmful in terms of basic functionality. APOE ε4 carriers (N=103) did not experience any effects of isolated psychotropic drugs on clinical changes, including antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the harmful prospective effects of second-generation antipsychotics and antiepileptic drugs on cognitive and functional changes in Alzheimer's disease, particularly for APOE ε4 noncarriers, whereas antidepressants may be safer options for behavioral enhancement.

Evaluation of a new body-focused group therapy versus a guided self-help group program for adults with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): a pilot randomized controlled feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), a common phenomenon in neurological settings, are regarded as a paroxysmal type of functional neurological disorder (FND). In a substantial proportion, PNES are disabling with poor long-term outcomes and high economic costs. Despite the clinical and financial consequences of PNES, there is still a lack of controlled clinical trials on the treatment of this challenging disorder. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and collect first evidence of the efficacy of a group based-intervention in PNES-patients. METHODS: A pilot randomized controlled feasibility study with a parallel-group design was performed in adult outpatients with PNES to evaluate a new body-focused group therapy (CORDIS) versus guided self-help groups. Self-assessment of dissociation (Dissociation Experience Scale-DES-20) and seizure severity (Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale-LSSS) were assessed two weeks before and two weeks after the treatment intervention and also six months after treatment as primary outcome parameters. RESULTS: A total of 53 patients were recruited from a specialized outpatient clinic, and out of those, 29 patients completed either the body-focused group therapy program (n = 15) or a guided self-help group (SHG) therapy (n = 14). When analyzing the ITT sample (n = 22 CORDIS group, n = 20 SHG), both groups showed an effect on seizure severity and level of dissociation. In the per protocol sample (n = 13 CORDIS group, n = 12 SHG), CORDIS was superior to the self-help group for reducing seizure severity 6 months after the treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: CORDIS is a newly developed body-focused group therapy program for adults with PNES. Further studies should include a multicentric design with a higher number of participants.

A Phase-2 Pilot Study of a Therapeutic Combination of Δ9-Tetrahydracannabinol and Palmitoylethanolamide for Adults With Tourette's Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: There are few effective pharmacological treatments for Tourette's syndrome. Many patients with Tourette's syndrome experience impairing tic symptoms despite use of available evidence-based treatments. The investigators conducted a small, uncontrolled trial to examine the safety, tolerability, and dosing of THX-110, a combination of Δ9-tetrahydracannabinol (Δ9-THC) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), in Tourette's syndrome. METHODS: A 12-week uncontrolled trial of THX-110 (maximum daily Δ9-THC dose, 10 mg, and a constant 800-mg dose of PEA) in 16 adults with Tourette's syndrome was conducted. The primary outcome was improvement on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) total tic score. Secondary outcomes included measures of comorbid conditions and the number of participants who elected to continue treatment in the 24-week extension phase. RESULTS: Tic symptoms significantly improved over time with THX-110 treatment. Improvement in tic symptoms was statistically significant within 1 week of starting treatment compared with baseline. THX-110 treatment led to an average improvement in tic symptoms of more than 20%, or a 7-point decrease in the YGTSS score. Twelve of the 16 participants elected to continue to the extension phase, and only two participants dropped out early. Side effects were common but were generally managed by decreasing Δ9-THC dosing, slowing the dosing titration, and shifting dosing to nighttime. CONCLUSIONS: Although the initial data from this trial in adults with refractory Tourette's syndrome are promising, future randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials are necessary to demonstrate efficacy of THX-110 treatment. The challenges raised by the difficulty in blinding trials due to the psychoactive properties of many cannabis-derived compounds need to be further appreciated in these trial designs.

The influence of depressive symptoms on the effectiveness of a short-term group form of Schema Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for personality disorders: a naturalistic study.

BACKGROUND: This naturalistic study examined the outcomes of Short-Term Schema Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in groups with personality disorders, and with high and low severity of depressive symptoms. METHODS: Assessments were made at baseline, at mid-treatment (week 10), at treatment termination (week 20) and at three-month follow-up (week 32) of 225 patients with personality disorders and high severity of depressive symptoms (PD-Hi) and patients with low severity of depressive symptoms (PD-Lo). The assessments focused on symptom (Symptom Checklist-90) and schema severity (Young Schema Questionnaire) and coping styles (Utrecht Coping List). We also measured the rate of symptom remission. The data obtained were subjected to multilevel analysis. RESULTS: Psychiatric symptoms and maladaptive schemas improved in both patient groups. Effect sizes were moderate, and even small for the coping styles. Symptom remission was achieved in the minority of the total sample. Remission in psychiatric symptomatology was seen in more PD-Lo patients at treatment termination. However, the difference in levels of remission between the two patient groups was no longer apparent at follow-up. CONCLUSION: A short-term form of schema therapy in groups proved to be an effective approach for a broad group of patients with personality disorders. However, the majority of patients did not achieve symptom remission. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

Systematic Literature Review of Quetiapine for the Treatment of Psychosis in Patients With Parkinsonism.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine compared with placebo or other interventions for psychosis in parkinsonism. METHODS: Participants with a diagnosis of parkinsonism participated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine for psychotic symptoms within a defined follow-up period. The authors conducted searches on PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials, and EMBASE for articles published from January 1991 to October 2017. Study methodology and patient- and treatment-level data were independently extracted and summarized by using descriptive statistics. Studies underwent quality assessment for risk of bias. RESULTS: A total of 17,615 unique records were identified, and seven RCTs (total N=241) met inclusion criteria. Five RCTs were placebo controlled, and two compared quetiapine against clozapine. The mean study duration was 12 weeks, and the mean daily quetiapine dose was 103 mg per day (range, 12.5-300 mg). In four of five placebo-controlled RCTs, quetiapine failed to demonstrate significant improvement of psychosis in parkinsonism compared with placebo. In two clozapine-comparator RCTs, quetiapine was better tolerated but no more effective than clozapine. Across all RCTs, the mean completion rates for quetiapine, clozapine, and placebo were 66%, 68.5%, and 66%, respectively. Quetiapine did not significantly worsen motor function. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of quetiapine in RCTs for psychosis in parkinsonism is no better than that for placebo or clozapine. On the basis of novel data, clinicians should reevaluate traditional viewpoints on the benefits of quetiapine for psychosis in parkinsonism.

Pharmacotherapy Effectiveness in Treating Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is a highly prevalent neuropsychiatric sequela among individuals who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). Despite its high prevalence, there continues to be conflicting evidence surrounding the efficacy of medication for treating depression post-TBI and whether different treatments have distinct effects. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesize the available evidence for the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for depression following a TBI. METHODS: A meta-analysis was completed using several online databases (PubMed, National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, and Healthcare Databases Advanced Search) to search for clinical trials involving various pharmacological treatments for depression in patients with TBIs. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed using their sample size, treatment duration, treatment used, TBI severity, method of assessment, and medication response. Standardized mean difference effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated for each study using pre- and postintervention scores and pooled using a random effects model to produce a summary effect size. RESULTS: Fourteen effect sizes were calculated, and a mild to moderate pooled effect size (Cohen's d=-0.49, 95% CI: -0.96, -0.02, p=0.02) was found. Ten studies demonstrated effect sizes that were statistically significant, and four were nonsignificant. The weighted pooled effect size was higher for single-group design studies (Cohen's d=-1.35, 95% CI: -2.14, -0.56, N=5) compared with independent-group designs (Cohen's d=0.001, CI: -0.59, 0.58; N=9). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis tentatively supports the view that pharmacological treatment may be effective in reducing depressive symptoms in those with depression following TBI. However, evidence from randomized controlled trials alone demonstrated no beneficial effect. The limitations are also discussed.

Klüver-Bucy Syndrome Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Synthesis and Review of Pharmacological Treatment From Cases in Adolescents and Adults.

Klüver-Bucy syndrome (KBS) is a rare clinical presentation following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Symptoms include visual agnosia, placidity, hyperorality, sexual hyperactivity, changes in dietary behavior, and hypermetamorphosis. The purpose of this article was to identify and synthesize the available evidence from case reports and case series on the treatment profile of KBS among adolescents and adults after TBI. Four bibliographic databases (MEDLINE OVID, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS) were searched for relevant literature. No date or language restrictions were applied. All case reports containing original data on KBS following TBI among adolescents and adults were included. Articles were evaluated, and data were extracted according to predefined criteria. The literature search identified 24 case reports of KBS post-TBI published between 1968 and 2017. Most case subjects were male (70.1%), and the mean age at injury was 25.1 years (range, 13-67 years). Injury to one or both temporal lobes occurred in most cases. Inappropriate sexual hyperactivity was the most common KBS symptom, followed by a change in dietary behavior and hyperorality. Visual agnosia was the least reported. In 50% of cases, the patient fully recovered from KBS. One-half of all participants described pharmacological management; the most common medication prescribed was carbamazepine. Overall, there was a lack of data available on pharmacotherapy initiation and duration. The complex presentation of KBS presents challenges in terms of treatment options. Although overall individuals who were prescribed carbamazepine had positive outcomes, given the reliance on case reports, it is difficult to make a definitive recommendation to guide clinical practice.

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: Challenges and Opportunities for a New Clinical Specialty.

Noninvasive brain stimulation refers to a set of technologies and techniques with which to modulate the excitability of the brain via transcranial stimulation. Two major modalities of noninvasive brain stimulation are transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial current stimulation. Six TMS devices now have approved uses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are used in clinical practice: five for treating medication refractory depression and the sixth for presurgical mapping of motor and speech areas. Several large, multisite clinical trials are currently underway that aim to expand the number of clinical applications of noninvasive brain stimulation in a way that could affect multiple clinical specialties in the coming years, including psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, physical therapy, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. In this article, the authors review some of the anticipated challenges facing the incorporation of noninvasive brain stimulation into clinical practice. Specific topics include establishing efficacy, safety, economics, and education. In discussing these topics, the authors focus on the use of TMS in the treatment of medication refractory depression when possible, because this is the most widely accepted clinical indication for TMS to date. These challenges must be thoughtfully considered to realize the potential of noninvasive brain stimulation as an emerging specialty that aims to enhance the current ability to diagnose and treat disorders of the brain.

Catatonia Under-Diagnosis in the General Hospital.

Catatonia is under-diagnosed in psychiatric settings. No studies have explored the under-diagnosis of catatonia in general hospitals. The authors conducted a retrospective chart review using DSM-5 criteria to diagnose catatonia in medical inpatients between 2011 and 2013. Of 133 case subjects meeting DSM-5 criteria for catatonia retrospectively, 79 had never been diagnosed and 54 had a documented diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression revealed that psychiatry consultation significantly decreased the odds of under-diagnosis of catatonia, whereas presence of agitation, grimacing, or echolalia increased the likelihood of under-diagnosis. Under-diagnosed case subjects received significantly lower doses of lorazepam, and increased mortality during admission and increased length of hospital stay both fell short of statistical significance in this group. Catatonia appears to be frequently under-diagnosed in the general hospital, and psychiatry consultation services play a crucial role in its detection and treatment. Strategies to improve recognition and treatment of catatonia should be implemented.

Preliminary Evidence on Cannabis Effectiveness and Tolerability for Adults With Tourette Syndrome.

The authors retrospectively evaluated effectiveness and tolerability of cannabis in 19 adults with Tourette syndrome. Tics scores decreased by 60%, and 18 of the 19 participants were at least "much improved." Cannabis was generally well tolerated, although most participants reported side effects.

Tratamiento del consumo de alcohol y drogas en adolescentes / Treatment of alcohol and drug use among adolescents

El consumo problemático de sustancias entre los adolescentes, presenta tasas de prevalencia considerable a nivel mundial y se constituye en un problema de salud pública, indispensable de ser abordado, considerando la etapa del ciclo vital de esta población. El presente artículo tiene por objetivo, realizar un revisión del estado actual de los tratamientos indicados para los trastornos por abuso o dependencia de sustancias en adolescentes y de los resultados y evidencia que respaldan su efectividad, con el objetivo de orientar tanto a profesionales de la salud, como a los principales actores sociales que se relacionan con estos jóvenes (familiares, escuelas, centros comunitarios), en la posibilidad de optar por intervenciones que se ajusten a las necesidades específicas del joven, según su etapa evolutiva, nivel de desarrollo y su contexto natural más cercano.

Problematic substance use among adolescents presents significant rates worldwide prevalence and constitutes a public health problem, which is essential to be addressed, considering the stage of the life cycle of this population. This article aims, conduct a review of the current state of the indicated treatments for substance use disorders in adolescents, and the results and evidence supporting its effectiveness, with the aim of assisting both professionals health, as major social actors that relate to these young people (family, schools, community centers), the possibility of opting for interventions that meet the specific needs of the young, by evolutionary stage, level of development, and its closest natural context.

Proceso rehabilitador de artrogriposis múltiple congénita / Processus de rééducation après une arthrogrypose multiple congénitale / Rehabilitating process of arthrogryposis multiplex congenital

Se presentó un caso de artrogriposis múltiple congénita, femenina, blanca, con un coeficiente intelectual de 90, con posible compromiso orgánico, de discreta dislalia, sin alteraciones visuales ni auditivas, colaboradora, comunicativa, sin dominio motriz, remitida al equipo rehabilitador por el Hospital Frank País de La Habana en 2004. El objetivo es valorar el resultado de los tratamientos sicoterapéutico y rehabilitador. Se describe todo el proceso de rehabilitación inicial contenido en la estrategia colectiva multidisciplinaria para la atención a la paciente, comenzando con terapias de apoyo sicológico integral, ejercicios respiratorios y entrenamiento familiar; 2 meses después de forma secuencial se utilizó una combinación de agentes físicos, termoterapia, masaje, electroterapia, y kinesiología, se produce un retroceso por dificultades en los flexores de la rodilla que motivó una segunda intervención. A los 4 meses sigue la estrategia rehabilitadora, que continúa en la actualidad con ganancia marcada en nivel de autoestima y autoconfianza en ella misma, para la realización de las actividades del tratamiento y de la vida diaria como lavarse la boca, peinarse, vestirse, deambular por la casa y comunicarse con vecinos, amigos y familiares; fortaleza de grupos musculares debilitados, movilizaciones con la ortesis con total grado de independencia del técnico y familiares, tanto en ida y regreso de los tramos trabajados, que primero fueron de 10 m, después se le aumentó a 15 m y así se realizaron aumentos progresivos en diferentes etapas hasta llegar a 50 m. Se concluyó que mejoró 80 por ciento con el tratamiento planificado, así como su calidad de vida y la reincorporación a la sociedad(AU)

A case of arthrogryposis multiplex congenital was presented. She was a white female patient with intellectual coefficient of 90, possible organic implication, discrete dyslalia, without visual or hearing alterations, cooperative, communicative, without motor control that was referred by Frank País Orthopaedic Hospital in Havana City in 2004. The objective is to assess the results of both rehabilitation and psychotherapy treatments. All initial rehabilitation process included in the multidisciplinary collective strategy for the patient's attention was described, beginning with comprehensive psychological support therapies, respiratory exercises and family training. Two months later, in a sequential form, a combination of physical agents, thermotherapy, massage, electrotherapy and kinesiology was used. There was a relapse due to difficulties in the knee flexors that led to a second surgical procedure. Four months later, a strategy for rehabilitating the patient began which continued to the present time with a marked enhance of self-esteem level and self- confidence to follow both treatment and daily life activities such as to brush her teeth, to comb her hair, to get dressed, to wander around the house and to communicate with neighbours, friends and relatives. Also, there was strength in the debilitated muscle groups and mobilizations with orthosis with total degree of independence from technicians and family members when going back and forth in the sections worked which corresponded to 10 m at the beginning and were increased later to 15 m, accomplishing progressive increases in different stages to finally reach 50 m. It is concluded that the patient's condition improved an 80 percent with the treatment, as well as her quality of life and her return to society(AU)

Le cas d'une patiente de la race blanche, d'un quotient intellectuel de 90, communicative, collaboratrice, atteinte d'arthrogrypose multiple congénitale, avec possible compromis organique, une discrète dyslalie, sans altérations visuelles ni auditives, sans domaine motrice, est présenté en 2004 à l'équipe de rééducation de l'hôpital Frank Pais, à La Havane. L'objectif est d'évaluer le résultat des traitements psychothérapiques et de rééducation. Tout le processus initial de rééducation contenu dans la stratégie pluridisciplinaire pour soigner la patiente a été décrit, en débutant par des thérapies d'appui psychologique intégral, des exercices de respiration et entraînement familial; deux mois après, une combinaison d'agents physiques, thermothérapie, massage, électrothérapie et kinésithérapie a été utilisée de façon séquentielle. Il y a eu une complication des fléchisseurs du genou conduisant à une deuxième opération. La stratégie de rééducation a continué depuis 4 mois jusqu'à présent ayant des effets positifs sur son amour-propre et confiance en elle-même pour réaliser les activités de son traitement et de sa vie quotidienne, telles que se brosser les dents, se peigner, s'habiller, déambuler et se communiquer avec ses voisins, amis et famille. Grâce au traitement planifié, sa récupération a été très bonne (80 pourcent), et sa qualité de vie et réinsertion à la société excellentes(AU)

Proceso rehabilitador de artrogriposis múltiple congénita / Rehabilitating process of arthrogryposis multiplex congenital

Se presentó un caso de artrogriposis múltiple congénita, femenina, blanca, con un coeficiente intelectual de 90, con posible compromiso orgánico, de discreta dislalia, sin alteraciones visuales ni auditivas, colaboradora, comunicativa, sin dominio motriz, remitida al equipo rehabilitador por el Hospital Frank País de La Habana en 2004. El objetivo es valorar el resultado de los tratamientos sicoterapéutico y rehabilitador. Se describe todo el proceso de rehabilitación inicial contenido en la estrategia colectiva multidisciplinaria para la atención a la paciente, comenzando con terapias de apoyo sicológico integral, ejercicios respiratorios y entrenamiento familiar; 2 meses después de forma secuencial se utilizó una combinación de agentes físicos, termoterapia, masaje, electroterapia, y kinesiología, se produce un retroceso por dificultades en los flexores de la rodilla que motivó una segunda intervención. A los 4 meses sigue la estrategia rehabilitadora, que continúa en la actualidad con ganancia marcada en nivel de autoestima y autoconfianza en ella misma, para la realización de las actividades del tratamiento y de la vida diaria como lavarse la boca, peinarse, vestirse, deambular por la casa y comunicarse con vecinos, amigos y familiares; fortaleza de grupos musculares debilitados, movilizaciones con la ortesis con total grado de independencia del técnico y familiares, tanto en ida y regreso de los tramos trabajados, que primero fueron de 10 m, después se le aumentó a 15 m y así se realizaron aumentos progresivos en diferentes etapas hasta llegar a 50 m. Se concluyó que mejoró 80 por ciento con el tratamiento planificado, así como su calidad de vida y la reincorporación a la sociedad(AU)

A case of arthrogryposis multiplex congenital was presented. She was a white female patient with intellectual coefficient of 90, possible organic implication, discrete dyslalia, without visual or hearing alterations, cooperative, communicative, without motor control that was referred by Frank País Orthopaedic Hospital in Havana City in 2004. The objective is to assess the results of both rehabilitation and psychotherapy treatments. All initial rehabilitation process included in the multidisciplinary collective strategy for the patient's attention was described, beginning with comprehensive psychological support therapies, respiratory exercises and family training. Two months later, in a sequential form, a combination of physical agents, thermotherapy, massage, electrotherapy and kinesiology was used. There was a relapse due to difficulties in the knee flexors that led to a second surgical procedure. Four months later, a strategy for rehabilitating the patient began which continued to the present time with a marked enhance of self-esteem level and self- confidence to follow both treatment and daily life activities such as to brush her teeth, to comb her hair, to get dressed, to wander around the house and to communicate with neighbours, friends and relatives. Also, there was strength in the debilitated muscle groups and mobilizations with orthosis with total degree of independence from technicians and family members when going back and forth in the sections worked which corresponded to 10 m at the beginning and were increased later to 15 m, accomplishing progressive increases in different stages to finally reach 50 m. It is concluded that the patient's condition improved an 80 percent with the treatment, as well as her quality of life and her return to society(AU)