title: Effectiveness of an inpatient movement disorders program for patients with atypical parkinsonism.
abstract: This paper investigated the effectiveness of an inpatient movement disorders program for patients with atypical parkinsonism, who typically respond poorly to pharmacologic intervention and are challenging to rehabilitate as outpatients. Ninety-one patients with atypical parkinsonism participated in an inpatient movement disorders program. Patients received physical, occupational, and speech therapy for 3 hours/day, 5 to 7 days/week, and pharmacologic adjustments based on daily observation and data. Differences between admission and discharge scores were analyzed for the functional independence measure (FIM), timed up and go test (TUG), two-minute walk test (TMW), Berg balance scale (BBS) and finger tapping test (FT), and all showed significant improvement on discharge (P > .001). Clinically significant improvements in total FIM score were evident in 74% of the patients. Results were similar for ten patients whose medications were not adjusted. Patients with atypical parkinsonism benefit from an inpatient interdisciplinary movement disorders program to improve functional status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, 720 Albany Street, Suite 7B, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Anna D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hohler
authors.forename: Jyeming M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tsao
authors.forename: Douglas I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: T Joy
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dipiero
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hehl
authors.forename: Alissa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Phenix
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saint-Hilaire
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ellis