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The effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation on neuroimaging, biological, cognitive and motor outcomes in individuals with premanifest Huntington's disease
Danielle M. Bartlett Andrew D. Govus Tim J. Rankin A. Lampit Kirk W. Feindel Govinda Poudel Wei Peng Teo Johnny Lo Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis Mel R. Ziman
Danielle M. Bartlett
Andrew D. Govus
Tim J. Rankin
A. Lampit
Kirk W. Feindel
Govinda Poudel
Wei Peng Teo
Johnny Lo
Nellie Georgiou-Karistianis
Mel R. Ziman
Abstract
Background
Huntington's disease (HD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition for which there are currently no proven disease-modifying therapies. Lifestyle factors have been shown to impact on the age of disease onset and progression of disease features. We therefore investigated the effects of a nine-month multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention on neuroimaging, biological and clinical disease outcomes in individuals with premanifest HD.
Methods
31 individuals with premanifest HD participated in the study. Eighteen participants underwent a nine-month multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention comprising aerobic and resistance exercise, computerised cognitive training, dual-task training and sleep hygiene and nutritional guidance. The remaining 13 participants were allocated to a standard care control group. Neuroimaging, biological, cognitive, motor and cardiorespiratory fitness data was collected.
Results
Participants displayed good adherence (87%) and compliance (85%) to the intervention. Maintenance of the shape of the right putamen was observed in the intervention group when compared to the control group. The intervention group displayed significant improvements in verbal learning and memory, attention, cognitive flexibility and processing speed following the intervention when compared to the control group. Performance on the mini-social cognition and emotional assessment (mini-SEA) was maintained in the intervention group, but decreased in the control group. No changes were observed in serum neurofilament light protein levels, postural stability outcomes or cardiorespiratory fitness.
Conclusion
This study adds to the accumulating body of literature to suggest that multidisciplinary rehabilitation is of clinical benefit for individuals with HD. Large randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine the extent to which benefits occur across the spectrum of the disease.
Keywords
MRI, Striatal shape, Neurofilament light protein, Cardiorespiratory fitness, Postural stability
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
Book
Volume
416
Issue
Page Range
1-9
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled