Currently, there is no post polio syndrome treatment available. However, scientific studies have shown that when people suffering from post polio syndrome do non-fatiguing exercises, they can help to improve the strength in the affected muscles. (See Reference 1)

Researchers from the NIH have tried treating post polio syndrome with the help of alpha-2 recombinant interferon. Unfortunately, this experimental treatment did not have any effect on the affected muscles. In another scientific study, people affected with the syndrome were treated with prednisone, which was given in high dosages. In this study, the researchers found that the affected patients showed some amount of improvement, but the results that the researchers got were not considered to be statistically large or important. (See Reference 1)

Two more studies were conducted to help reduce the muscle fatigue, enhance strength and also enhance the quality of life of people suffering from post polio syndrome. In these studies, the affected patients were given low dosages of a drug called pyridostigmine (Brand name Mestinon). Unfortunately, the researchers found that the drug was ineffective in helping the patients. (See Reference 1)

More studies were conducted; in one a drug called amantadine was used and the researchers found that it did not help in reducing muscle fatigue. In another study, a drug called modafinil was used, and here to the researchers found that it did nothing to alleviate the muscle fatigue in affected patients. (See Reference 1)

Some studies show that giving patients immunoglobin intravenously can help in reducing the pain, improving the strength of the affected muscles and thereby enhancing the quality of life. However, these studies are not conclusive and research is still going on to get concrete evidence. (See Reference 1)

It is quite likely that post polio syndrome treatment in future will concentrate nerve growth factors as the disease tends to cause degeneration of nerve sprouts. Hence, with the help of growth factors, the degenerated nerves can be regenerated. However, one study that was conducted showed that using nerve growth factors was actually not as helpful as the researchers believed they would be. (See Reference 1)

Hence, post polio syndrome treatment actually concentrates on managing the syndrome rather than curing it. (See Reference 1) This syndrome needs to be treated with correct exercises done under the guidance of a doctor who is specialized in treating neuro-muscular disorders. In addition, the person affected with the syndrome is advised to use mobility aids, alter activities related to daily living and also make use of ventilatory equipment. The person should avoid any activity that causes pain or tires out the affected muscles.

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