Interdisciplinary care models for functional movement disorders: a systematic review of clinical effectiveness and implications for integrated healthcare delivery.

INTRODUCTION

Functional movement disorders (FMD) are a group of highly disabling conditions that are often managed through fragmented care, despite increasing support for interdisciplinary coordinated clinical approaches. This systematic review assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of interdisciplinary interventions in adults diagnosed with FMD.

METHODS

MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PEDro, INAHTA, trial registries, and HTA agency websites were searched from inception to October 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing coordinated multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary interventions combining therapeutic components delivered by professionals from different discipline with non-coordinated or non-multidisciplinary care were included. Outcomes of interest included quality of life, motor function, mental health, and reported adverse events. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias-2 tool.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis was not feasible because of substantial heterogeneity across studies. Five RCTs published between 2002 and 2024, including 186 participants (105 females) were included. One study was rated as having an overall high risk of bias. Compared with control interventions, interdisciplinary interventions may improve quality of life (physical domain) and motor function in the short to medium term, although findings were inconsistent across studies. No clear benefits were found for mental health status, overall clinical assessment, or social impact. Reported adverse events were infrequent and generally mild.

PERSPECTIVE: This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on interdisciplinary care in FMD. While short-term functional improvements have been noted, the uncertainty regarding the sustainability of these effects and their possible psychosocial impact underscores the necessity for rigorous longitudinal research in this population.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: OSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/56GYX).