The Effects of Short-term Intensive Inpatient Rehabilitation on Motor, Non-motor, and Neuropsychological Functions in Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives: In previous studies, intensive rehabilitation for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has been implemented in both outpatient and inpatient settings, with varying durations across studies. Among these, most inpatient intensive rehabilitation programs are conducted for 1 month, with few reports evaluating detailed changes in neuropsychological functions. In this study, we investigated the effect of a short-term intensive inpatient rehabilitation program lasting 2 or 3 weeks on motor and non-motor symptoms, motor ability, and neuropsychological functions in hospitalized patients with PD.

Methods: We enrolled 15 patients with PD (7 men, 8 women; mean age, 75.1±6.5 years; Hoehn and Yahr stages III/IV, 12/3). The rehabilitation program included physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies and was implemented daily for 2 or 3 weeks. Motor and non-motor symptoms as well as motor abilities were assessed using the Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Functional Independence Measure, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39, and other assessments. Neuropsychological functions were evaluated using Japanese versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination and Frontal Assessment Battery and using the CogEvo (computerized cognitive function evaluation) tool. Scores were compared before and after intervention.

Results: This short-term inpatient rehabilitation therapy significantly improved motor and non-motor symptoms, motor abilities, reality orientation as assessed by CogEvo, and the overall quality of life.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that short-term intensive rehabilitation in patients with PD may achieve favorable outcomes even within a limited timeframe. Further discussion of the appropriate duration of inpatient rehabilitation for patients with PD is warranted.