Physiotherapy in palliative careâ - Stockholms sjukhem
Physiotherapy in palliative careâ - Stockholms sjukhem
Physiotherapy in palliative careâ - Stockholms sjukhem
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Assessment:How severe are the worries or the anxiety?The patient’s feel<strong>in</strong>gs of the severity of the symptoms can be estimated with a Visual analogScale – VAS before and after activities.Does the patient receive medication for his/her anxiety?Is it possible to divert the anxiety?What stage of disease is the patient <strong>in</strong>?Judg<strong>in</strong>g if a physiotherapeutic activity can be of help for the patient should be done afterconsult<strong>in</strong>g the rest of the staff.Treatment:By affect<strong>in</strong>g physical symptoms like muscle tensions, that divert the thoughts, physiotherapycan ease symptoms of milder forms of anxiety.Treatment alternatives can be relaxation exercises, massage and physical activities like walk<strong>in</strong>g.The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the disease the patient is <strong>in</strong>. In an early<strong>palliative</strong> phase physical exercises and relaxation activities can be useful. In later stages softmassage can be useful.The cl<strong>in</strong>ical experience of soft massage for anxiety patients is good. Patients <strong>in</strong> a late <strong>palliative</strong>stage receiv<strong>in</strong>g soft massage can feel satisfaction, get the feel<strong>in</strong>g of confirmation and free fromillness dur<strong>in</strong>g the massage as well as immediately after.There is a limited scientific documentation of how physical activity affects anxiety. Atemporary relief of situational anxiety can be noticed after physical activity.DepressionIt is common for the patient to feel low-spirited and sad because life is com<strong>in</strong>g to an end. Whenthe low spiritedness becomes more severe the word depression is used. Depression is caused bybiological, psychological and social factors. With a severe somatic illness several factors cantrigger and affect depression.<strong>Physiotherapy</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>palliative</strong> care – a cl<strong>in</strong>ical handbook Ulla Frymark, Lilian Hallgren, Ann‐Charlotte Reisberg 13