Abstract
The aim of this study was to report the results of physical therapy and rehabilitation approaches in two patients with SSPE. Two cases who were diagnosed as SSPE by a pediatric neurologist and referred to Hacettepe University School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation for rehabilitation and orthotic approaches were examined. The clinical characteristics, motor development levels and muscle tonus were evaluated. The physical therapy program includedpositioning, range of motion, stretching and tonus regulating exercises, sensory education and family education. Supportive knee-ankle orthosis for the inhibition of spasticity was also proposed. The age of the two male cases were 10 and 8, respectively. The cases were spastic quadriplegic and completely dependent in daily living. The muscle tonus decreased and, motor development levels and, functions and the familys' awareness about rehabilitation developed after six-months rehabilitation period. It is important to add the physical therapy and rehabilitation approaches to the treatment of SSPE, which is a progressive disease, for quality of life of patients and families to early therapy alternatives.
Keywords: subakut sklerozan panensefalit fizyoterapi ve rehabilitasyon, aile eğitimi, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Panensefalit (SSPE), physical therapy and rehabilitation, family training