Banca de DEFESA: ALINE ALVES DE SOUZA

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : ALINE ALVES DE SOUZA
DATE: 27/03/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Remoto
TITLE:

Home-based exercises for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: clinical evidence, new perspectives, and health education strategies.

KEY WORDS:

Motor neuron disease; Telerehabilitation; Physiotherapy

PAGES: 219
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional
SUMMARY:

Introduction: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive
neurodegenerative disease that leads to progressive weakness of the
appendicular and axial muscles, causing difficulties in walking and loss of
functionality. Due to the clinical complexity of ALS, this condition demands a
multidisciplinary approach to managing the different clinical manifestations.
Objectives: i. To evaluate the effects of a home exercise protocol with in-
person and remote monitoring on clinical outcomes and adherence to
treatment in patients with ALS; ii. To investigate evidence regarding the
performance of muscle strengthening exercises in this population; iii. To
develop health education content for individuals with ALS and their families.
Methods and results: The thesis consists of three parts, in order to answer
each objective. In parts i and ii, two studies were conducted (one in each),
resulting in a total of five articles (three published and two in progress). In
part iii, a health education course available on an online platform and a
booklet of respiratory and motor guidelines for individuals with ALS were
produced. Study 1 comprises the published protocol of the randomized,
blinded clinical trial, which compares in-person and remote monitoring of a
home exercise program for individuals with ALS. The two ongoing articles
constitute the clinical trial, with quantitative and qualitative data. Study 2
consists of the published protocol of the systematic review, to evaluate the
existing evidence regarding the performance of peripheral muscle
strengthening exercises in the ALS population. The published article of the
aforementioned systematic review summarizes eight studies that address
muscle strengthening in individuals with ALS and presents the impact of this
approach on outcomes such as muscle strength, functionality, and fatigue.
The health education course produced is aimed at caregivers of people with
ALS and addresses general information regarding the disease as well as
essential aspects for the self-care of these individuals. The respiratory and
motor care booklet was developed to guide individuals with ALS and their
families and caregivers regarding the routine of respiratory and motor care,
encompassing aspects such as breathing and its alterations, postures and
changes in decubitus, and rhythm of activities.
Conclusions: According to the preliminary results of the quantitative part of
the clinical trial, it is observed that the changes in outcome measures are
similar to those found in the current literature, with functional decline in
individuals over time and changes without significant difference for variables
such as fatigue and pain, regardless of the group, control or experimental, to which the participant was allocated. With the continuation of the study, it
is expected to detect functional benefits in individuals, regardless of the type
of follow-up – remote or in-person. Regarding the findings of the qualitative
study, it was observed that the home exercise protocol is feasible, showing
satisfactory adherence and no report of adverse events. Regarding the
findings of the systematic review, motor interventions for muscle
strengthening did not prove effective in individuals with ALS when their
effect was analyzed immediately after the intervention was completed. The
course developed and made available on an online platform showed good
adherence, achieving the maximum score in the evaluation made by the
users. The booklet was made available in digital format, free of charge, to
caregivers and people with ALS.

 

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externa à Instituição - LORENNA RAQUEL DANTAS DE MACEDO BORGES - UFRN
Externa à Instituição - LUCIANA PROTASIO DE MELO
Externo à Instituição - STEPHANO TOMAZ DA SILVA
Presidente - 2319151 - TATIANA SOUZA RIBEIRO
Interna - 5566309 - VANESSA REGIANE RESQUETI FREGONEZI