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Effects of multisensory stimulation in people with Huntington's disease: a randomized controlled pilot study
Leng TR, Woodward MJ, Stokes MJ, Swan AV, Wareing LA, Baker R
Clinical Rehabilitation 2003 Feb;17(1):30-41
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether behavioural, motor and physiological responses of individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) to a controlled multisensory environment (MSE) are effective as a therapeutic (sustained effects) or leisure (immediate effects) activity. DESIGN: Pilot study -- a randomized, controlled, two-group design. SETTING: Specialist residential unit for people with mid-late stage HD. SUBJECTS: Twelve patients with HD (one subject from each group dropped out during the study after week 8 due to medical complications). INTERVENTIONS: Patients attended eight, 30-minute sessions over a four-week period, of multisensory stimulation (MSE, treatment group) or relaxation activities (control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Between-group comparisons for changes between assessment sessions for two behavioural assessments: Rehabilitation Evaluation -- Hall and Baker (REHAB), Behaviour and Mood Disturbance Scale (BMD); a motor assessment: the dyskinesia section of the St Hans Rating Scale (SHRS); physiological measures: blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Secondary measures during intervention sessions included behavioural assessment using the Interact. RESULTS: There were no significant differences found between the groups for any main outcome measures made between sessions. The MSE group showed some positive effects within-sessions, with the Interact showing significant between-group differences in immediate effects on mood (p = 0.028). There was also a significantly different change over time for within-session changes in stimulation levels (p = 0.0002) and mood (p = 0.0001) between the groups. No physiological effects were observed in relation to sessions in either group. Two MSE subjects underwent changes in medication during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: There was no therapeutic effect of MSEs over the four-week study period. MSEs appear to be more effective thanconventional relaxation techniques as a leisure activity.

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