Orthostatic hypotension (OH), which consists in a significant reduction in blood pressure levels upon standing from a seated position, may affect approximately one in three patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). It usually presents as dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint, or feeling like you might black out while standing. This can significantly impact the quality of life (QoL) of PD patients, resulting in difficulties with balance, walking, and increased risk of falls. The main aim of this study is to evaluate whether the use of technological devices (a computerized system for analyzing abnormalities in walking in clinical settings and a wearable sensor to detect changes in postural unsteadiness in the home environment) may improve the detection of complications and the response to medical therapies for OH in patients with PD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
9
droxidopa taken three times a day titrated up to a maximum of 600 mg.
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ) Score
Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment (OHSA; Range: 0-10) and Orthostatic Hypotension Daily Activities Scale (OHDAS; Range: 0-10) 10 items measured on a Likert-scale with 10 being the worst possible score.
Time frame: 1 month
Tinetti Score
he Tinetti assessment tool is an easily administered task-oriented test that measures an older adult's gait and balance abilities. Scoring: Items are scored either "0-1" or "0-2". "0" indicates the highest level of impairment, whereas a higher score (1 or 2) indicates the individuals independence. There were 17 tasks (one task split into two sub-items and scored twice) that the scores were summed for a highest possible score of 28 (10 items scored on a 0-1 scale, and 8 items scored on a 0-2 scale). The Tinetti assessment was compared pre- and post- 6 week medication dosing.
Time frame: 6 weeks
PDQ-39 Score
The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) assesses how often people with Parkinson's experience difficulties across 8 dimensions of daily living including mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication, and bodily discomfort. The scale consists of 39 items ranked on a 5-point ordinal scale (Never=0, Occasionally=1, Sometimes=2, Often=3, Always=4). Each dimension total score range from 0 (never have difficulty) to 100 (always have difficulty). Lower scores reflect better Quality of Life. Dimension score = sum of scores of each item in the dimension divided by the maximum possible score of all the items in the dimension, multiplied by 100. Overall score = sum of dimension total scores divided by 8. Scores were compared pre- and post- 6 weeks dosing with medication.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Gait Analysis - Stride Length
Measured in cm
Time frame: 1 month
Gait Analysis - Single Leg Stance Time
Using a gait mat, participants were instructed to walk self-paced along the mat. The sensors in the mat automatically extracted the percentage of time a participant stood on a single leg. The output was compared pre- and post- 6 week dosing with study medication.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Gait Analysis - Gait Velocity
Using a gait mat, participants were instructed to walk self-paced on the mat, turn around, and walk back. Their velocity was measured in cm/sec. This output was compared pre- and post- 6 week dosing with study medication.
Time frame: 6 weeks
Postural Analysis - Postural Sway
Using a gait mat, postural sway was measured in cm on the X-axis while participants were asked to stand eyes open and eyes closed for 30 seconds. This output was compared pre- and post- 6 weeks dosing with study medication.
Time frame: 6 weeks
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