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Open Access 09-07-2022 | Telemedicine | Original Communication

Improvement in motor symptoms, physical fatigue, and self-rated change perception in functional motor disorders: a prospective cohort study of a 12-week telemedicine program

Authors: Marialuisa Gandolfi, Angela Sandri, Christian Geroin, Federica Bombieri, Marianna Riello, Zoe Menaspà, Chiara Bonetto, Nicola Smania, Michele Tinazzi

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 11/2022

Abstract

Background

Functional motor disorders (FMDs) are highly disabling conditions associated with long-term disability, poor quality of life, and economic burden on health and social care. While multidisciplinary 5-days rehabilitation programs have been shown to reduce motor and non-motor symptoms, long-term management and monitoring in FMDs remain an unmet need.

Aim

To compare a 12-weeks telemedicine program against a 12-weeks self-management program after a 5-days rehabilitation program for improving motor, non-motor symptoms, quality of life, and perception of change in patients with FMDs.

Methods

The study population was 64 consecutive patients with a definite diagnosis of FMDs who underwent a 5-days in-person rehabilitation program followed by either a self-management (the first 32 patients) or a telemedicine program (the latter 32 patients). Validated measures of motor and non-motor symptoms such as fatigue and pain, quality of life, perception of change, gait, and postural control were recorded before (T0), after completion of rehabilitation (T1), and then again at 3 months (T2).

Results

Improvement at 3-month follow-up assessment of motor symptoms (p < 0.001), physical fatigue (p = 0.028), and self-rated change perception (p = 0.043) was greater in the telemedicine group. No different between-groups effect was found on other dimensions of fatigue, pain, physical and mental health, and gait and postural control.

Conclusions

Long-term management and expert monitoring of patients with FMDs via telemedicine may enhance long-term outcomes in motor symptoms and physical fatigue, with a positive long-term impact on self-rated health perception of change.

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Title: Improvement in motor symptoms, physical fatigue, and self-rated change perception in functional motor disorders: a prospective cohort study of a 12-week telemedicine program
Authors: Marialuisa Gandolfi
Angela Sandri
Christian Geroin
Federica Bombieri
Marianna Riello
Zoe Menaspà
Chiara Bonetto
Nicola Smania
Michele Tinazzi
Publication date: 09-07-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Telemedicine
Anxiety
Fatigue
Telemedicine
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 11/2022
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-022-11230-8

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Improvement in motor symptoms, physical fatigue, and self-rated change perception in functional motor disorders: a prospective cohort study of a 12-week telemedicine program

Abstract

Background

Aim

Methods

Results

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Abstract

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