title: Efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment program on long-term outcomes of individuals with Parkinson's disease.
abstract: We examined the impact of multidisciplinary clinical management of the Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center program on Parkinson's disease progression. Initial and follow-up scores on the Part III Motor Examination subscale of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were examined. Overall, 37 (75.5%) of the 49 patients demonstrated stable or improved UPDRS motor scores at 1- to 3-year follow-up; in the 1-year group (n = 28), 22 patients (78.6%) improved, while 6 (21.4%) worsened. In the 2-year group (n = 15), 10 (66.7%) improved, while 5 (33.3%) worsened. In the 3-year group (n = 6), 5 (83.3%) improved, while 1 (16.7%) worsened. Multidisciplinary interventions included neurology (95.9% of patients), physiatry (93.9%), nursing (87.8%), psychology (42.9%), medication changes (59.2% increases, 18.4% decreases), rehabilitation therapies (physical, occupational, speech-language, 67.3%), functional diagnostic testing (18.4%), support group (16.3%), home exercise instruction (85.7%), and disease and wellness education (81.6%). Improved and worsened patients did not significantly differ on the individual program components. Clinical implications and study limitations are discussed.
authors: Southeast Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Richmond, VA 23249, USA. william.carne@med.va.gov
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Carne
authors: David X
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authors: Cifu
authors: Paul
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authors: Marcinko
authors: Mark
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authors: Baron
authors: Treven
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authors: Pickett
authors: Abu
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authors: Qutubuddin
authors: Vincent
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authors: Calabrese
authors: Peggy
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authors: Roberge
authors: Kathryn
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authors: Holloway
authors: Brian
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authors: Mutchler