Functional neurological disorder responds favorably to interdisciplinary rehabilitation models

Abstract Background Functional neurological disorder (FND) is difficult to treat and costly. Interdisciplinary chronic pain rehabilitation programs (iCPRPs) are multidimensional functional restoration interventions for pain; their impact on FND specifically has not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to assess iCPRP impact on functioning in FND. Methods Data were examined retrospectively from an IRB-approved registry capturing admission and discharge data from patients participating in an outpatient iCPRP. Subjective measures included pain-related disability, depression, anxiety, and stress scores, whereas objective measures included physical functioning measures (timed up and go, stair climbing test, 6-minute walk test). Pre- and post-iCPRP measures were compared using a paired t -test approach. Results 49 FND patients completed care and showed pre- and post-measures. Statistically-significant reductions in subjective measures of pain-related disability (46.40 to 20.91; p Conclusion While preliminary and based on a small patient sample, these findings support the use of interdisciplinary care models for FND treatment. Clinical and investigational implications are explored.