Objective: To describe the utility of an educational patient support program designed to improve awareness of motor fluctuations (MF) and provide education on motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) patients.

Background: Clinical management of PD is challenging due to difficulties in detecting MF and optimizing treatment. Patients require comprehensive education about the disease to actively participate in their care and effectively communicate their condition.

Method: Eighteen PD expert neurologists, 2 nurses, and 145 PD patients participated in this educational program. Almost all patients had a PD duration of less than 6 years. The STAT-ON^TM sensor was used for a 6–7-day period, followed by weekly educational phone-calls by a nurse for 7 weeks. STAT ON^TM device usage, MF, dyskinesias, NMS, quality of life, healthy habits, and preparation for neurologist consultations were the issues covered in the phone-calls. A satisfaction survey (with the maximum score of 5 out of 5) was administered to patients and physicians at the program’s conclusion.

Results: The program was completed by 94% of patients and satisfaction survey was obtained in 92% of them. Overall satisfaction was rated with the maximum score by 85.8% of patients. Most of the patients reported that the program helped them to gain a deeper understanding of the disease (73.9%), better identify their symptoms (69.4%), adopt healthier habits (64.2%), better prepare for consultations (65.7%), and feel better and more motivated (85.8%). Eighty-three percent of the neurologists responded the survey, considering that STAT-ON^TM was useful to confirm both, the presence, and the absence of suspected early MF (86.7% and 73.3%, respectively). STAT-ON^TM helped the neurologists to optimize the treatment (80%). Neurologists agreed that the program was useful to better identify MF (100%) and helped patients to feel more motivated and capable of better managing their disease (73.3%).

Conclusion: The integration of structured educational calls and the usage of STAT-ON^TM sensor not only improved patient understanding and motivation, but also helped in the identification of MF, facilitating treatment optimization and PD clinical management. This experience showcases the positive outcomes achieved by combining technology and education to improve the management of PD.

References: [1] De Pandis MF, Torti M, Rotondo R, et al. Therapeutic education for empowerment and engagement in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a non-pharmacological, interventional, multicentric, randomized controlled trial. Front Neurol 2023 Apr 18:14:1167685. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1167685.
[2] Rodríguez-Martín D, Cabestany J, Pérez-López C, et al. A new paradigm in Parkinson’s disease evaluation with wearable medical devices. A review of STAT-ONTM. Front Neurol 2022 Jun 2:13:912343.doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.912343.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/improving-awareness-of-motor-fluctuations-in-parkinsons-disease-an-educational-patient-support-program-using-a-waist-worn-device/