Procedimientos fisioterapéuticos aplicados en la mejora de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con sida / Physical therapy procedures can be beneficial to improve the quality of life of AIDS patients

ABSTRACT

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a causal factor of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), an immune system disease that is presently not mortal but is a chronic disease that affects that patient’s quality of life. Undoubtedly, physical therapy can improve the patient’s quality of life. In this regards and given that one of the important factors in the follow-up of the disease course is fatigue, all those mechanisms that we can establish such as physical therapy to diminish this symptom, will help to improve the patient. In order to minimize and to prevent the effects of fatigue on the body, different physical agents and physical therapy procedures have been used: cryotherapy, electrical nerve stimulation, massage, and even other so-called “alternative” techniques. It has been suggested that physical exercise (aerobic and muscular resistance) can be beneficial and improve the AID patient’s quality of life. However, more research is needed to determine the ideal work parameters. Thus, based on the vital state of the patient, the best exercise protocols, directed by physical therapy professionals, is to establish adequate physical exercise protocols (AU)