HD-DRUM rhythmic training in Huntington’s disease: Results from a randomised controlled feasibility trial including motor and brain microstructural signals [Conference Abstract]

Luque Laguna, Pedro, Ioakeimidis, Vasilis, Drew, Cheney J.G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4397-6252, Pallmann, Philip ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8274-9696, Busse-Morris, Monica ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5331-5909, Schubert, Robin, Watson, Guy B., Rosser, Anne E. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4716-4753 and Metzler-Baddeley, Claudia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8646-1144 2026. HD-DRUM rhythmic training in Huntington’s disease: Results from a randomised controlled feasibility trial including motor and brain microstructural signals [Conference Abstract]. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry 10.1136/jnnp-2026-ehdn.196

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Abstract

Background: Rhythmic movement training may benefit cognitive and motor functions in Huntington’s disease (HD). HD-DRUM is a tablet-based application for the training of paced movements. Feasibility of 8 weeks at-home HD-DRUM compared with usual-activity control was assessed in a two-arm, pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) in people with HD. HD-DRUM-related changes in motor and cognitive functions, mood, and brain microstructure were explored. Objectives: Primary outcomes were feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability) rates for an effectiveness RCT. Secondary outcomes were estimates of HD-DRUM-related effect sizes on motor functions, cognition, mood, and brain microstructure to explore training mechanisms. Methods: Fifty-five individuals with HD were randomised into either HD-DRUM (n = 32, 1 excluded) or usual-activity control (n = 23) groups. Participants underwent Quantitative-Motor, executive function and mood assessments and diffusion-weighted MRI at baseline and 8 weeks follow-up. Recruitment, retention, and adherence (frequency and duration of HD-DRUM engagement) rates were recorded, and HD-DRUM acceptability was assessed with a self-report questionnaire. Group differences of changes in behavioural and brain microstructural measures were reported with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Acceptability of HD-DRUM, retention, and adherence rates averages were high (>80%) and target recruitment was reached. Performance in paced tapping and brain microstructure in motor networks signalled benefits from HD-DRUM and were associated with each other. Conclusions: Acceptability feasibility of HD-DRUM and a future effectiveness RCT in people with HD was established. HD-DRUM-induced brain plasticity may underpin motor performance benefits. HD-DRUM may provide an accessible home-based intervention for maintenance of movements and brain microstructure in HD.

Item Type:	Short Communication
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine Research Institutes & Centres > Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC) Research Institutes & Centres > Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
ISSN:	0022-3050
Last Modified:	26 Oct 2026 12:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/190432

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