RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Coordination of Care Among Physical Therapists and Neurologists in Huntington Disease
JF Neurology: Clinical Practice
FD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
SP 377
OP 381
DO 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200073
VO 12
IS 5
A1 Nora E. Fritz
A1 Deb Kegelmeyer
A1 Ashwini K. Rao
A1 Lori Quinn
A1 Martha A. Nance
A1 Anne Kloos
YR 2022
UL http://cp.neurology.org/content/12/5/377.abstract
AB This study presents a framework for physical therapy through the course of Huntington disease (HD) which includes coordinated care plans with neurologists. HD is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that leads to impaired strength and coordination and ultimately progressive loss of function. Interdisciplinary HD care teams provide patient-centered, comprehensive evaluations and make recommendations for pharmacologic, healthcare, and lifestyle interventions based on best available evidence. Physical therapists work to improve movement and mobility using specific therapeutic interventions and individualized exercise programs. The proposed framework recommends that neurologists refer persons with HD to physical therapy at all disease stages, ideally beginning in premanifest and early stages, and that they regularly communicate with physical therapists to ensure implementation of a coordinated care plan. Resources are provided for neurologists to facilitate appropriate referral for individuals with HD to physical therapy based on clinical practice guidelines, including a referral decision guide.