Objective: This study examined relationships among cognitive functions and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) during a 4-week intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program (Vicenza, Italy).
Background: In PD patients, the effect of cognitive functions on motor symptoms, daily functioning, and rehabilitation outcomes is poorly explored.
Method: 135 PD patients undergoing an inpatient, multidisciplinary, rehabilitation program were assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, according to the Movement Disorders Society Level II diagnostic criteria. Composite scores (CS) were calculated for memory, attention, executive functions, language, and visuospatial functions.
Functional capabilities and motor performances were evaluated at baseline and the end of the program. Primary outcome measures were: Barthel Index (BI), Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Secondary outcome measures were: Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS part III), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), Time-Up-and-Go (TUG), and 6-minute walking test (6MWT).
Results: Patients’ mean age was 70.5±8.05, mean disease duration was 9.81±5.07, mean H&Y was 3.2±0.64. At the end of the intervention, all primary and secondary outcome measures improved significantly (all p<0.05).
At baseline, all cognitive domains were correlated with functional and motor outcome measures (all 0.3 > p > 0.001), exception for FES (negatively associated with all CS, excepted for language) and 6MWT (not associated with memory).
Memory and visuospatial functions were significantly associated with delta improvement of FIM (p=0.3 and 0.3), BI (p=0.1 and 0.4), BBS (p=0.2 and 0.2); executive functions were related with delta improvement of FIM (p=0.4) and BBS (p=0.3); attention was related with delta improvement of BBS (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Intensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation is beneficial in PD, improving motor symptoms, functional autonomy, and quality of life. There is a strong relationship between cognitive, motor, and functional performances. Better cognitive functions are associated with greater improvement in functional autonomy and balance following rehabilitation, although all PD patients can still benefit regardless cognitive differences.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
L. Ricciardi, P. Ortelli, MC. Campo, D. Ferrazzoli, F. Morgante, J. Goldman, D. Volpe. The role of cognitive functions on the outcomes of an intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for people with Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-role-of-cognitive-functions-on-the-outcomes-of-an-intensive-multidisciplinary-rehabilitation-program-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed October 4, 2026.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-role-of-cognitive-functions-on-the-outcomes-of-an-intensive-multidisciplinary-rehabilitation-program-for-people-with-parkinsons-disease/