A physical therapy programme for functional motor symptoms: A telemedicine pilot study

Abstract

Introductionfor a proportion of patients with functional motor symptoms (FMS), specific physiotherapy has recently emerged as a promising treatment. Aim of the present study was to assess in a sample of patients with FMS the efficacy of a physical therapy-based telemedicine programme on the motor symptoms themselves and on some psychological variables such as anxiety, depression, alexithymia and quality of life. Materials and methodseighteen patients were recruited. The programme consisted of 24 sessions: three face-to-face sessions (at week 0 (T0), 12 (T1) and 24 (T2)) and 21 tele-sessions. Each session included education, movement retraining exercises and development of a management plan. All patients underwent the following assessment at T0, T1 and T2: Psychogenic movement disorders rating scale (PMDRS), assessment of depression, anxiety, alexithymia and quality of life. Self-assessment of outcome (CGI) was recorded at T1 and T2. ResultsOn the CGI improvement was reported by 66,7% of patients at T1 and 77,8% at T2. A significant improvement over the three time points was shown for PMDRS and for the following domains of the SF-36: general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health. Conclusionthe use of two innovative approaches for FMS (physiotherapy and telemedicine), combined together, might have a valuable role in the treatment of this neuropsychiatric condition.