The Effectiveness of Inpatient Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review of Recent Studies

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive disease, which is associated with the loss of activities of daily living independency. Several rehabilitation options have been studied during the last years, to improve mobility and independency. Objective: This systematic review will focus on inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MR) in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), based on recent studies from 2020 onwards. Methods: Search strategy in three databases included: multidisciplinary rehabilitation, Parkinson's Disease, inpatient rehabilitation, motor-, functional- and cognitive performance, cost-effectiveness, Quality of Life, and medication changes/Levodopa equivalent daily doses. Results: Twenty-two studies were included, consisting of 13 studies dealing with inpatient MR and 9 studies on inpatient non-MR interventions. Inpatient PD multidisciplinary rehabilitation proved to be effective, as well as non-MR rehabilitation. Conclusions: This review confirms the efficacy of inpatient MR and non-MR in PD, but is skeptical about the past and current study designs. New study designs, including new physical training methods, more attention to medication and costs, new biomarkers, artificial intelligence, and the use of wearables, will hopefully change rehabilitation trials in PwPD in the future.