Functional Neurological Disorder Responds Favorably to Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Models

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) presents significant treatment challenges and incurs high healthcare costs.
• The efficacy of interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation programs (iCPRPs) specifically for FND has not been previously evaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the impact of iCPRPs on functional outcomes in patients diagnosed with FND.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of patient data from an Institutional Review Board-approved registry was conducted.
• Subjective (disability, depression, anxiety, stress) and objective (physical function tests) measures were collected pre- and post-iCPRP.
• Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-intervention scores.

Main Results:

• Forty-nine FND patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements across all measured outcomes.
• Subjective scores for pain-related disability, depression, anxiety, and stress showed marked reductions (P < 0.001).
• Objective measures indicated significant enhancements in physical functioning, including timed up and go, stair climbing, and 6-minute walk tests.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings suggest that iCPRPs are a viable treatment model for FND.
• The study supports the integration of interdisciplinary care for improving FND patient outcomes.
• Further clinical investigation is warranted to explore broader implications.