PD REHAB

PD REHAB is a large, pragmatic, multicentre, randomised, controlled trial of combined occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) versus no therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who report limitations in activities of daily living.

The aim of the trial is to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of combined NHS OT and PT for PD versus no therapy.

Community-based therapy in approximately 40 elderly care and neurology units throughout the UK to reflect population diversity.

Patients with PD of any age who report limitations in activities of daily living.

PT and OT was administered in the community. The framework for the content of the therapy will be agreed in advance by expert groups based on our previous work on standard NHS OT and the PT Evaluation Project. Training was provided for trial therapists, who will have a spectrum of experience to ensure uniformity of practice across the country. Therapists providing the intervention completed intervention record forms, as used in previous complex intervention trials, to monitor intervention delivery.

The primary outcome measure is instrumental activities of daily living measured using the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale (NEADL) as activities of daily living (ADL) is the target of the intervention. Secondary outcomes are: health-related quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39, PDQ-39; EuroQol EQ-5D), cost-effectiveness (cost per quality adjusted life year), adverse events and carer quality of life (Carer Short Form 12, SF12). Outcomes were assessed before randomisation and by post at 3, 9 and 15 months post randomisation.