A clinical case series investigating the effectiveness of an exercise intervention in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)

Abstract

Background: Despite clinical intervention, people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) experience difficulties in gait and balance on a daily basis. However, the effects on these variables of a tailored home based exercise programme for this population have not been investigated. This case series aims to investigate the effects of a home based tailored exercise programme on gait and balance in people with CIDP.
Methods: Case series of seven people with CIDP from a neurology department of a local hospital. Participants took part in a 6 week Otago exercise programme, which include walking, strengthening and balance tasks. Participants were assessed 10 times; 3 times prior, 3 times during an exercise intervention, 3 times post intervention and once at three months follow up. The outcome measures were Berg Balance scale, 10 meter walk test, fatigue severity scale and EQ-5D-5L.
Results: Participants showed an increase in walking speed and balance after the exercise intervention and most kept these improvements at 3 months follow up.
Conclusion: This study shows that exercise can be beneficial for gait and balance in people with CIDP. These findings are in line with literature from related diseases such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome. However studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings in the population.