Objective: We aim to evaluated the effect of rehabilitation therapy on the motor symptoms and activities of daily living in patients with MSA using an outpatient-based three-month rehabilitation program.

Background: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by autonomic failure, cerebellar ataxia and parkinsonism. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for MSA, and treatment typically focuses on managing the symptoms. Rehabilitation therapy is often used to help individuals with MSA maintain their independence, improve their quality of life, and reduce the impact of their symptoms.

Method: We enrolled the patients who were diagnosed with MSA and agreed to participate an outpatient-based rehabilitation program which focused on improving balance, gait, coordination and activities of daily living. The program was conducted over a period of three months, with two sessions per week, each lasting one hour. To measure the outcomes of the program, all the patients were evaluated with the Berg balance scale (BBS) and the Timed up and go test (TUG) and four of them were assessed by Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III, Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS), Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) at both baseline and three months follow-up, respectively. The results were analyzed statistically using the Wilcoxon test.

Results: In this pilot study, a total of thirteen patients with MSA (six females and seven males), with a mean age of 62.1 years, participated in the rehabilitation program. After three months of rehabilitation, the mean of BBS improved from 43.69 to 46.15 (p = 0.040), and the mean time for TUG decreased from 18.51 to 15.44 seconds (p = 0.019). Although it was not significant statistically significant due to the small sample size, a few patients showed some improvement in UMSARS (p = 0.799). No adverse events were reported in association with the program.

Conclusion: In this pilot study, we found a positive trend towards improvement in balance and physical performance in patients with MSA who underwent the outpatient-based three-month rehabilitation program. Further studies with larger sample sizes and control groups are needed.

« Back to 2024 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-rehabilitation-therapy-on-the-motor-functions-in-patients-with-multiple-system-atrophy/