Parkinson’s Disease Research — Conclusion

The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project

Parkinson’s disease research has shown PD often impacts people differently. While some PD patients rapidly develop severe symptoms, others live for decades with only minimal impact from their disease.

The Parkinson’s Foundation is working with scientists to find out what may cause these differences and how what is learned can help more Parkinson’s patients maintain their quality of life for as long as possible

The Parkinson’s Foundation started the largest-ever clinical study of Parkinson’s disease, the ongoing Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, in 2009. It involves 10,000 participants in five countries. Researchers are tracking and monitoring the care of the study volunteers, who range from people newly diagnosed with PD to those who have had Parkinson’s for 20 years or more.

The study is evaluating a wide range of Parkinson’s factors, including the most effective treatments, what factors determine which treatment is best for individual PD patients, and how various interventions, including exercise programs, may change the course of the disease.

Findings so far from the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project

• Depression and anxiety are serious factors impacting the overall health of people with Parkinson’s.
• Parkinson’s disease patients are often prescribed different medicines and treatment plans, depending on where they receive care. The varied practices can result in vastly different outcomes.
• Increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can slow quality of life decline in PD patients.
• Regular care from a neurologist can save the lives of thousands of people with Parkinson’s disease each year.
• Women are less likely than men to have a family care partner, which is significant because research suggests they provide better outcomes than a paid caregiver.
• Patients with simpler medication combinations have the fewest falls.

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