Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute paralytic neuropathy, representing the most common cause of acute muscle paralysis. Although the exact cause is unknown, GBS is presumed to be an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Clinically it manifests with symptoms such as rapidly progressive symmetric limb weakness, numbness and pain. Diagnosis is based on history, neurological examinations and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Treatment includes immunomodulatory therapy such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange as well as rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is crucial for muscle function restoration and improving the quality of life for patients. However Guillain-Barré syndrome can lead to long-term consequences including chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety. Purpose: The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise programs on muscle performance, fatigue and pain in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome based on a literature review. Methods: Literature search was conducted in electronic databases PubMed and PEDro using English keywords including "guillain barré syndrome", "guillain barré AND exercise", "guillain barré AND physical therapy" and "guillain barré AND therapy". Results: Five studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The studies demonstrated positive results on muscle performance, fatigue and pain. Various exercise methods and measurement tools were used across the studies but exercise mostly improved the patients' conditions, showing reduced pain, improved functional independence and increased muscle performance. Discussion and Conclusion: Despite differences among studies regarding the duration and measurement tools used, the results confirmed the benefits of therapeutic exercise in patients with GBS. Therapeutic exercise shows potential for reducing fatigue, improving muscle performance and reducing pain in GBS patients. However research results are diverse indicating the need for further investigation. Various studies report improvements in functional independence and quality of life but more homogeneous populations and standardized therapeutic protocols are needed for more reliable results.
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