A randomized controlled trial of an enhanced interdisciplinary community based group program for people with parkinson's disease: Study rationale and protocol

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, chronic neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no known cure. Physical exercise pro¬grams may be used to assist with the physical management of PD. Several studies have demonstrated that community based physical therapy programs are effective in reducing physical aspects of disability among people with PD. While multidisciplinary therapy inter-ventions may have the potential to reduce dis¬ability and improve the quality of life of people with PD, there is very limited clinical trial evi¬dence to support or refute the use of a commu¬nity based multidisciplinary or interdiscipli¬nary programs for people with PD. A two group randomized trial is being undertaken within a community rehabilitation service in Brisbane, Australia. Community dwelling adults with a diagnosis of Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease are being recruited. Eligible participants are ran-domly allocated to a standard exercise rehabil¬itation group program or an intervention group which incorporates physical, cognitive and speech activities in a multi-tasking frame¬work. Outcomes will be measured at 6-week intervals for a period of six months. Primary outcome measures are the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) cognitive test. Secondary outcomes include changes in health related quality of life, communication, social participation, mobility, strength and balance, and carer bur¬den measures. This study will determine the immediate and long-term effectiveness of a unique multifocal, interdisciplinary, dual-task¬ing approach to the management of PD as compared to an exercise only program. We anticipate that the results of this study will have implications for the development of cost effective evidence based best practice for the treatment of people with PD living in the com¬munity.