The effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with early-to-middle-stage Huntington's disease: a pilot study.
Eur J Neurol
; 20(9): 1325-9, 2013 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23216520
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Despite advances in the understanding of Huntington's disease (HD), treatment remains symptomatic. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation, however, appears to impact disease progression. Here we show the feasibility, safety and efficacy of a 9-month multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme in a small cohort of patients with early-to-middle-stage HD.METHODS:
Twenty patients with HD were assigned to two groups, equally matched for cognitive and motor scores. One group received the intervention, whilst the other served as control. The Unified-Huntington's-Disease-Rating-Scale-Total-Motor-Score was the primary outcome measure. Neurocognitive/psychological tests, body composition, postural stability, strength and quality of life assessments were secondary outcome measures.RESULTS:
The intervention reduced motor and postural stability deterioration, with minor improvements in depression, cognition and quality of life. Significant gains were observed for fat-free mass and strength.CONCLUSION:
This pilot study suggests that a prolonged multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme in early-to-middle-stage HD is feasible, well-tolerated and associated with therapeutic benefit. Further explorative, larger studies are warranted.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Occupational Therapy
/
Huntington Disease
/
Exercise Therapy
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Neurol
Journal subject:
NEUROLOGIA
Year:
2013
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: