The Effect of a Motor-cognitive Rehabilitation on Attention in Parkinsonian Patients

Objective: To evaluate the attentive performances in Parkinsonians in comparison with healthy controls and the effect of motor-cognitive rehabilitation program on attention. Methods: 103 Parkinsonians (stage 2,5-3 H\&Y) hospitalized for a 4-week Multidisciplinary Intensive Rehabilitation Treatment and 34 healthy controls were enrolled. All subjects underwent three different attentive tasks: visual reaction times, auditory reaction times and multiple choices reaction times tasks. To evaluate the effect of rehabilitation on attention, patients performed the same battery at discharge. To investigate the effects of MIRT on motor functions and quality of life we also assessed UPDRS III, Timed Up and Go test and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire.