Objective: This study aimed to verify that an intensive care with a dynamic team (neurologist, nurse) is able to improve the quality of life (QoL) of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: PD patients are affected by both motor and a variety of non motor symptoms. As a result, patients are in need of sufficient information and specific support. Elderly people often have concerns about home care and nursing whereas younger patients struggle with coping and are unaware of possible symptoms.

Methods: In this study, 300 patients with PD were randomized into a treatment group (t.g. n=132, 18 dropouts) and control group (c.g. n=125, 25 dropouts) and followed up for six months. The t.g. was examined by a special neurologist. After the enrolment into the individualized therapy program a PD nurse also visited the patients of the t.g. at home once in three months to evaluate if the therapy was successful. The PD nurse delevoped with the patients an individually tailored therapy plan, which was reassured by the neurologist. The PD nurse could be called as soon as questions about PD or the therapy were experienced. The c.g. was only observed with no intervention. In the subanalysis the participants were divided into younger patients (< 60y) and elderly patients (60y – 80y). The reason was to classify participants in different social environments such as work or parental duties and those who were retired and had adult childrens.

Results: Comparing the t.g and the c.g., there was a significant difference of improvement concerning QoL (PDQ-39; p=0.044), non motor symptoms (PDNMS; p=<0.001) and movement (UPDRS III; p=0.012) between baseline and follow-up at 6 months. However, patients under the age of 60 seem to be motivated to improve their situation because the results in the c.g. were similar to those of the t.g. Elderly patients profited more of the intensive care. Non motor symptoms and mood in special changed to the better within 6 months in the t.g.

Conclusions: This integrated care model has proven to be effective in terms of improvements of QoL, non motor symptoms and general movement. Although PD is impactful to younger patients, they seem to be open to any treatment. Elderly patients took more advantage of help from outside the regular therapy which was mirrored in the results of the primary outcome parameter (PDQ – 39).

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/impact-of-a-holistic-and-interdisciplinary-care-for-patients-with-parkinsons-disease-cologne-parkinsons-network-results-of-a-randomized-study-with-subanalysis/