title: Occupational therapy in multiple system atrophy: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: There is some evidence that rehabilitation therapies may be useful in progressive neurological conditions, but this usefulness has not been studied in multiple system atrophy (MSA) to date. The aim of this small pilot study was to identify the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial of occupational therapy and to report preliminary data on the impact of occupational therapy on disability, mood, and health-related quality of life in patients with MSA. Patient groups were comparable for age, gender distribution, type of MSA, and severity. The active occupational therapy intervention group experienced a significant reduction of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (total score and Activities of Daily Living [ADL] section), and PDQ-39 scores (total scores and ADL subsection). An occupational therapy program may improve functional abilities in patients with mild to moderate MSA. A larger multicenter study is needed.
authors.affiliation: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Niall P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: E Diane
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Playford
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life