Exercise and Physiotherapy
The European Huntington Association (EHA) and the European Huntington's Disease Network (EHDN) provide up to date information and guidelines on exercise and physiotherapy for people and families affected by Huntington's disease.
Active Huntington's
Active Huntingtons is an information and learning resource developed in collaboration with physiotherapists in the EHDN Physiotherapy Working Group.
Research on physical activity has shown several benefits for people with Huntington’s disease:
- Improved quality of life and confidence
- Improved balance
- Ability to walk further and faster
- Prevention of stress and aggression
- Reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety
Physiotherapy Guidelines
The EHDN Physiotherapy Working Group provide Physiotherapy Clinical Guidelines (2013) to support physiotherapists working with people with Huntington’s disease.
There is strong evidence to support physical therapy interventions to improve fitness, motor function, and gait in persons living with Huntington’s Disease: Clinical recommendations to guide physical therapy practice for Huntington disease (2020)
Move to Exercise
This exercise programme has been developed by physiotherapists specifically for people with movement disorders. You can use these tools to help a person living with Huntington’s disease to improve their fitness and balance. Please remember exercise is not without its risks and this or any other exercise programme has potential to cause injury. To reduce the risk of injury, consult your doctor or physiotherapist before beginning this exercise programme. Your physiotherapist should be able to help you identify which exercises will be most beneficial for you . The exercises presented here are in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation; the authors and producers disclaim any liability from and in connection with this program. As with any exercise programme, if at any point during your work out you begin to feel faint, dizzy or have physical discomfort, you should stop immediately and seek medical advice.
A Move to Exercise Workbook has been developed by the ENGAGE-HD study team and the Cardiff Physiotherapy Group working in partnership with people with Huntington’s Disease, family members, carers and staff from the Huntington’s Disease Association of England and Wales.
