Using Huntington’s disease clinics to promote physical activity

Over the last ten years there has been an increase in research studies that have shown that exercise is safe and beneficial for people with Huntington's disease (HD).

However, evidence also shows that physical activity levels in people with HD remain low, so it would appear that there are challenges to this research being used within clinical practice. The aim of this study is therefore to explore how to promote physical activity within HD specific clinics.

We will invite staff from HD clinics and people with HD and their carers to a ‘Physical Activity’ event where everyone will be able to discuss how physical activity could be promoted within HD clinics. The discussions will be summarised and sent to all the people who attend the event. Staff from the HD clinics will be able to use this information to develop ways to change their practice to promote physical activity in people with HD.

The researcher will contact the HD clinics 6 and 12 months after the event to discuss what changes have taken place and whether staff feel that there have been any benefits for people with HD.