The effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with early-to-middle-stage Huntington's disease: A pilot study
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School
School of Medical Sciences
RAS ID
16265
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.
DOI
10.1111/ene.12053
Comments
This is the accepted version of the following article: Thompson, J. A., Cruickshank, T. , Penailillo, L. , Lee, J., Newton, R. , Barker, R. , & Ziman, M. R. (2013). The effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation in patients with early-to-middle-stage Huntington's disease: a pilot study. European Journal of Neurology, 20(9), 1325-1329. Published in final form at here