Impact of Balance Rehabilitation on Self-esteem for Patients with Neuromuscular Disease: A Preliminary Study

Aim: to evaluate the impact of rehabilitation programs for patients with neuromuscular diseases, particularly the effect of balance training on self-esteem. Method: 22 participants, of whom 7 patients were suffering from peripheral neuropathy and 15 from myopathy. At the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation program focused on balance rehabilitation, self-esteem was assessed with Rosenberg's self-esteem questionnaire. Balance was assessed independently by the physiotherapist using Berg's scale. Results: after 6 weeks of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in a daily hospital routine which proved to be effective on the balance settings, we observed a parallel significant improvement in self-esteem. Conclusion: this first research shows that physical rehabilitation focused on balance rehabilitation of patients suffering from a neuromuscular disorder not only improves posture and gait but also has effects on self-esteem, thus deserving further and more in-depth research.