A Survey of Rehabilitation and the Life Situation of Japanese Patients with Spinocerebellar Degeneration and Multiple System Atrophy / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

Objective：This study aimed to identify the characteristics of daily rehabilitation in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD), including those with multiple system atrophy, with a focus on physical status and social background.Methods：We analyzed questionnaire responses from 914 patients in Japan and conducted inter-group comparisons of backgrounds and rehabilitation-related information by dividing patients into a rehabilitation group, a self-directed exercise group, and a non-rehabilitation group.Results：Among all subjects, the rehabilitation group accounted for 67.9％, the self-directed exercise group for 17.7％, and the non-rehabilitation group for 14.3％．In the rehabilitation group, the percentage receiving services increased with a decline in the level of independent living and increase in coverage by long-term care insurance. The frequency and duration of rehabilitation showed a maximum distribution of 2-3 sessions/week for 40 minutes per session in the rehabilitation group and 7 sessions/week for 20 minutes per session in the self-directed exercise group. The intent to continue in the rehabilitation group was significantly greater than in the self-directed exercise group (p＝0.018), although subjective changes with rehabilitation showed no difference between groups.Conclusion：The percentage of SCD patients who participated in rehabilitation programs including self-directed exercise was high. However, the subjective effect was not clear. We consider it necessary to develop an environment in which experts can provide rehabilitation to all SCD patients, irrespective of the disease stage.