Ellis T, Katz DI, White DK, Depiero TJ, Hohler AD, Saint-Hilaire M
The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate the effectiveness of an inpatient rehabilitation program for people with a primary diagnosis of PD, (2) to determine whether gains made were clinically meaningful, and (3) to identify predictors of rehabilitation outcome. 68 subjects participated in a rehabilitation program consisting of a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for a total of 3 hours per day, 5 to 7 days per week, in addition to pharmacological adjustments based on data collected daily. The differences between admission and discharge scores on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Timed "Up & Go" Test, 2-Minute Walk Test, and Finger Tapping Test were analyzed. The results revealed significant improvements across all outcome measures from admission to discharge. Subjects with PD whose medications were not adjusted during their admission showed significant improvements in FIM total, motor, and cognitive scores. Improvements exceeded the minimal clinically important difference in 71% of the subjects.
Subjects with a diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease as a primary condition benefited from an inpatient rehabilitation program designed to improve functional status.
Physical Therapy, 2008 Apr 24, online article ahead of press