Clinical recommendations to guide physical therapy practice for Huntington disease

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
• Physical therapy interventions are increasingly studied for managing HD symptoms.
• Evidence-based recommendations are needed to guide clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the efficacy of physical therapy interventions for individuals with Huntington disease (HD).
• To provide specific, evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy in HD clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods systematic review adhering to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology.
• Inclusion of experimental and observational study designs (23 quantitative, 3 qualitative studies).
• Data extraction using JBI standardized tools.

Main Results:

• Physical therapy interventions show potential to improve motor impairments and activity limitations in HD.
• Strong evidence (Grade A) supports aerobic exercise and supervised gait training for fitness and gait.
• Moderate evidence (Grade B) suggests benefits for balance, breathing, and functional transfers; expert consensus supports adaptations for late stages.

Conclusions:

• There is robust evidence supporting physical therapy interventions for enhancing fitness, motor function, and gait in individuals with Huntington disease.
• Specific interventions like aerobic exercise, resistance training, and gait training are recommended.
• Caregiver involvement and adaptive strategies are crucial, particularly in later disease stages.