Objective: To find out whether a 10 to 14 days group-based multidisciplinary in-patient rehabilitation course for patients with Parkinson´s disease has any long-term effect on functioning, disability, mood and ability to work.

Background: In-patient rehabilitation courses require economical resources from national social insurance in Finland, as well as time resources from patients. More information is needed about their impact and benefits. However, measurement of long-term effects of rehabilitation in degenerative diseases as Parkinson’s is challenging.

Methods: During a period of three years, all applicants (N=1535) for Parkinson´s rehabilitation courses in Finland were sent a questionnaire to fill in and return. 1007 patients agreed to participate in the study. A follow-up questionnaire was send after six months to those who completed the first one, and 785 returned it (46% female, 54% male; mean age 65.9 yrs; on av. 4.8 yrs from diagnosis). The questionnaires included e.g. UPDRS II (Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale part II) and GDS (Geriatric depression scale) scales. The results were analyzed with appropriate statistical methods in two main groups: 1. Patients who had attended a course (research group) and 2. Patients who were still waiting for a suitable course after six months (control group).

Results: The baseline UPDRS II sum mean (SD) was 12.3 (6.7) and follow-up 12.9 (7.1) in the research group and 15.3 (7.5) and 15.6 (7.7) in the control group, GDS sum 4.7 (3.7) -4.8 (3.9) and 5.5 (4.0) – 5.3 (4.0), respectively. No statistically significant difference in changes in UPDRS II 0.6 (3.9) vs. 0.3 (4.3) or GDS 0.06 (2.7) vs. -0.16 (2.8) between these two groups was found, in 6 months follow-up. At baseline 57 of 299 (19%) participants who were <65 years old were still working. Neither was any statistically significant difference found, when comparing changes in employment between the two groups (percentage working: research group 9.1 % -> 6.5 %, control group 4.6 % -> 2.9 %),

Conclusions: Short in-patient courses may have beneficial short-term effects, but scales like UPDRS and GDS do not confirm long-term impact on functioning, disability or mood. Long-term professional support, in close connection with everyday life at home and work, may give more durable results. However, a further study with qualitative methods might bring up deeper aspects and significance of individual in-patient rehabilitation experience.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-impact-of-short-in-patient-rehabilitation-courses-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease/