Cognitive and Movement Functional Change for a Patient with Huntington`s Disease Using a Video Exercise Program at Home

Abstract

Background. Huntington’s disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative, progressive central nervous system disease. Physiotherapy can affect the course of the disease, so it is important to determine the effects of physical exercises on the movement and cognitive function. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of video exercise program at home, applied simultaneously and separately to physiotherapy, to the cognitive and motor function of a patient with HD. Methods. A 39-year-old man with HD was studied. Firstly, the patient performed a video exercise program at home. Then he did the same and participated in individual physiotherapy. The risk of falls was assessed using the “Timed up and go test”, balance was assessed using the “Berg Balance Assessment Scale” and the “Biodex” system, the gait was assessed using the “Zebris” system, cognitive functions was assessed using the “Mini-mental state examination test” and motor function was assessed using “Unifed Huntington‘s disease rating scale”. Results. After applying the video home exercise program, the risk of falls was reduced, the patient’s balance improved, posture stability, the length and width of the step have increased. The use of video home exercise program with physiotherapy signifcantly improved cognitive function. Conclusions. A structured exercise program at home is effective for balancing, improving posture stability, improving step length, width, decreasing the risk of falls, and it combined with individual physiotherapy, effectively improves the cognitive function of HD patient.

Keywords: Huntington’s disease, video exercise program at home, cognitive and movement functions.