Objective: To assess PA levels in individuals enrolled in the ENROLL-HD database, and compare demographic characteristics between PE practitioners, and non-practitioners

Background: Neurological disorders have been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death globally in 2022. Daily physical activity (PA) has been recommended by the WHO as a means to mitigate cognitive decline and mortality. Recent estimates suggest a PA prevalence of 52% in the Argentinean population. Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by neuropsychiatric, cognitive, and motor symptoms and is influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Studies indicate a potential positive effect of physical exercise (PE) on delaying HD onset and reducing its severity.

Despite evidence supporting the benefits of PE, its prescription as a complementary treatment for HD patients faces limitations.

Method: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis was conducted from June 2020 to March 2024, utilizing PE data from the ENROLL-HD database. Descriptive statistics were employed.

Results: The sample comprised 122 individuals, with 60% being female, mean age 45.1 ± 14.6 years, and mean years of education (YOE) 15.8 ± 3.8. Of these, 8.1% were non-HD, 15.6% were at risk for HD, 21.3% had premanifest HD (p-HD), and 55% had symptomatic HD (s-HD). Among p-HD and s-HD individuals, p-HD constituted 65.38% females, with a mean age of 44.7± 14.4 years and mean YOE 15.88 ± 3.11. The s-HD group comprised 58.2% females, with a mean age of 45.2 ± 14.6 years and mean YOE 15.8 ± 3.1.

20% of non-HD (p:0.42, 95% CI), 15.9% of those at risk for HD (p:0.11, 95% CI), 26.9% of premanifest HD (p:0.6, 95% CI), and 38.7% of symptomatic HD(p:0.04, 95% CI) reported PA.

Conclusion: Despite recognition of the benefits of PA in HD prevention and progression, our study reveals low PA levels among HD individuals. This underutilization may stem from various factors, including limited access, lack of social insurance, cost, and inadequate medical prescription. Despite study limitations, these findings underscore the importance of educating patients, families, clinicians, and neurologists about the multifaceted benefits of PA in HD, emphasizing the need for improved access and implementation of physical therapy interventions

table with main features

References: : Jiang, A., Handley, R. R., Lehnert, K., & Snell, R. G. (2023). From Pathogenesis to Therapeutics: A Review of 150 Years of Huntington’s Disease Research. International journal of molecular sciences, 24(16), 13021. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241613021
Devadiga, S. J., & Bharate, S. S. (2022). Recent developments in the management of Huntington’s disease. Bioorganic chemistry, 120, 105642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105642
Fritz, N. E., Kegelmeyer, D., Rao, A. K., Quinn, L., Nance, M. A., & Kloos, A. (2022). Coordination of Care Among Physical Therapists and Neurologists in Huntington Disease. Neurology. Clinical practice, 12(5), 377–381. https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200073
Tyagi, S., Shekhar, N., & Thakur, A. K. (2023). Alternative Approaches for the Management of Huntington’s Disease: A Narrative Review. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, AT6568. Advance online publication.
Quinn, L., Playle, R., Drew, C. J. G., Taiyari, K., Williams-Thomas, R., Muratori, L. M., Hamana, K., Griffin, B. A., Kelson, M., Schubert, R., Friel, C., Morgan-Jones, P., Rosser, A., Busse, M., & PACE-HD site investigators (2022). Physical activity and exercise outcomes in Huntington’s disease (PACE-HD): results of a 12-month trial-within-cohort feasibility study of a physical activity intervention in people with Huntington’s disease. Parkinsonism & related disorders, 101, 75–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2022.06.013
Fritz, N. E., Kegelmeyer, D. A., Rao, A. K., Quinn, L., & Kloos, A. D. (2022). Clinical Decision Trees to Guide Physical Therapy Management of Persons with Huntington’s Disease. Journal of Huntington’s disease, 11(4), 435–453. https://doi.org/10.3233/JHD-220549

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/physical-activity-levels-and-demographic-characteristics-in-individuals-with-huntingtons-disease-insights-from-the-enroll-hd-database-in-an-argentinian-movement-disorder-center/