FACILITAÇÃO NEUROMUSCULAR PROPRIOCEPTIVA (FNP) NA MIOPATIA MITOCONDRIAL: estudo de caso Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on mitochondrial myopathy: case study

INTRODUCTION: The mitochondrial myopathies are considered a group of disorders that can compromise a range of organs and present variables phenotypes. Frequently they affect the central nervous system and the cardiac and skeletal muscles. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of an individualized program based in the techniques of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), in the management of the muscular weakness and functional abilities of a patient with mitochondrial myopathy of late onset and atypical distribution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient was submitted to an evaluation of the muscular strength and functional capacity before and after 12 weeks of treatment, composed by exercises of mild/moderate intensity, with duration of 60 minutes/ session twice a week. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The increase in muscular force was obtained in determined muscular groups. The level of functional independence did not suffer alterations after the therapeutic proposal. CONCLUSION: We believe that the rehabilitative program proposed acted in the minimization of complications caused by muscular weakness and in the optimization of the daily activities. The physical rehabilitation becomes necessary for a better management of the muscular weakness and of the patient’s ability in the execution of instrumental and basic daily life activities.