Evaluation of a nurse-led multidisciplinary neurological rehabilitation programme using the Nottingham Health Profile.
OBJECTIVE
To ascertain whether or not an inpatient multidisciplinary treatment programme for patients with Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis resulted in a measurable change in patients' health-related quality of life (HRQL).


METHODS
Assessments of HRQL were made one week before adm ssion and approximately one month post discharge.


METHODS
Six-bed Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at Worthing Hospital on the south coast of England.


METHODS
Fifty-eight patients with Parkinson's disease and 33 patients with multiple sclerosis.


METHODS
All patients received an individually adapted, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The programmes lasted from 5 to 10 days.


METHODS
HRQL scores on the Nottingham Health Profile Part 1 (NHP-1).


RESULTS
Overall post-treatment NHP-1 scores were significantly better than overall pretreatment scores for both the Parkinson's group (z= 2.6, p <0.01) and the multiple sclerosis group (z = 2.1, p <0.05). Sixty-four per cent of patients perceived an overall improvement. The strongest improvement was in 'physical mobility' in the multiple sclerosis group (z = 3.0, p <0.01) and in 'emotional reactions' in the Parkinson's group (z = 2.9, p <0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the multidisciplinary inpatient approach in neurological rehabilitation has identifiable short-term benefits for the majority of patients. A randomized trial with longer follow-up is required to confirm this.
Sitzia
J
J
Worthing Hospital NHS Trust, Sussex, UK.
Haddrell
V
V
Rice-Oxley
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009729:Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011788:Quality of Life