The Current Role of Physiotherapy in Systemic Light-Chain (AL) Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma

Physiotherapy is an evidence-based healthcare occupation aiming to collaborate in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of myriad of diseases and clinical scenarios throughout all stages of human life. Its development has been accelerated over the last two decades. The scope of physiotherapy is continuously evolving. However, the accumulated evidence in the context of rare diseases is scarce. Remarkably, the opportunity for improvement and potential benefit for complex diseases with low prevalence is also very high, both as an isolated approach or within multidisciplinary specialized units. Systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is a rare, chronic, complex, heterogeneous, incurable, and challenging disease, which may involve different organs and systems, including the heart, kidney, liver, peripheral nerves, lung, muscle, skin, and others. Heart is the most frequently involved organ leading to failure and arrhythmias. Peripheral neuropathy is a relatively frequent symptom. Renal, respiratory, and hepatic failure may also occur. The aim of this narrative review is summarizing, updating, and critically underlining potential new avenues of development on the role of physiotherapy in systemic light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, compared with its application on multiple myeloma, a closely related but not so rare entity.