Domiciliary acupuncture for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Identifier:  TFM:60

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFM60

Authors:  Zamora Muniente, Imma

Abstract:
ABSTRACT: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, ALS, it is considered a serious disease with poor prognosis and there is currently no cure. ALS affects motor neurons. The patients diagnosed experience a progressive degenerative process characterized by paralysis and atrophy of all muscles of the body without affecting the senses, because the ALS does not affect the cognitive system. These sick people loss of autonomy develop progressively until reaching the total dependence. Life expectancy is 3-5 years. The causative agent of ALS remains unknown. This project aims to introduce Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture in the treatment plan for these people sick of ALS. Acupuncture is the ancient technique par excellence of the MTC known for its effectiveness against pain and fatigue, what exactly are considered the most recurrent symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS. For this reason and for many others it was decided to open this line of investigation to determine whether acupuncture is valid for the treatment of symptoms of this disease. The study design is qualitative and quantitative methods. To increase knowledge and gain additional insight into the disease, it was decided to contextualize ALS according to two explanatory models: the biomedical model and the model of TCM and Acupuncture. The sample of this study will be affected by ALS patients who live in Catalonia and who voluntarily wish to participate in the investigation. The domiciliary Acupuncture with ALS patients will be performed according to the protocol described for this project. The time of this investigation is 1 year.