Stimulation of the tibial nerve-a randomised trial for urinary problems associated with Parkinson's-the STARTUP trial.

BACKGROUND: non-motor symptoms such as bladder dysfunction are common (80%) in people with Parkinson's increasing the risk for falls with a negative impact on health-related costs and quality of life.We undertook STARTUP to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of using an adhesive electrode to stimulate the transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) to treat bladder dysfunction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).Study design, materials and methods: STARTUP was a parallel two-arm, multi-centre, pragmatic, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Each participant attended one clinic visit to complete consent, be randomised using a computer-generated system and to be shown how to use the device.The trial had two co-primary outcome measures: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). These were completed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. A bladder frequency chart and resource questionnaire were also completed. RESULTS: two hundred forty two participants were randomised. About 59% of participants were male, the mean age was 69 years and mean time since diagnosis was 6 years. Questionnaire return rate was between 79 and 90%.There was a statistically significantly lower score in the active group at 6 weeks in the IPSS questionnaire (mean difference (Standard deviation, SD) 12.5 (6.5) vs 10.9 (5.5), effect size -1.49, 95% CI -2.72, -0.25). There was no statistically significant change in any other outcome. CONCLUSION: TTNS was demonstrated to be safe with a high level of compliance. There was a significant change in one of the co-primary outcome measures at the end of the treatment period (i.e. 6 weeks), which could indicate a benefit. Further fully powered RCTs are required to determine effective treatments.

Sensory Electrical Stimulation Cueing May Reduce Freezing of Gait Episodes in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: Freezing of gait (FoG) is a movement abnormality that presents with advancing Parkinson's disease (PD) and is one of the most debilitating symptoms of the disease. The mainstay of nonpharmacological management of FoG is typically through external cueing techniques designed to relieve or prevent the freezing episode. Previous work shows that electrical stimulation may prove useful as a gait guidance technique, but further evidence is required. The main objective of this study was to determine whether a "fixed" rhythmic sensory electrical stimulation (sES) cueing strategy would significantly (i) reduce the time taken to complete a walking task and (ii) reduce the number of FoG episodes occurring when performing the task. Methods: 9 participants with idiopathic PD performed a self-identified walking task during both control (no cue) and cueing conditions. The self-identified walking task was a home-based daily walking activity, which was known to result in FoG for that person. A trained physiotherapist recorded the time taken to complete the walking task and the number of FoG episodes which occurred during the task. Data were analyzed by paired t-tests for both the time to complete a walking task and the number of FoG episodes occurring. Results: sES cueing resulted in a reduction in the time taken to complete a walking task and in the number of FoG episodes occurring during performance of this task by 14.23 ± 11.15% (p=0.009) and 58.28 ± 33.89% (p=0.002), respectively. Conclusions: This study shows a positive effect of "fixed" rhythmic sES on the time taken to complete a walking task and on the number of FoG episodes occurring during the task. Our results provide evidence that sES cueing delivered in a "fixed" rhythmic manner has the potential to be an effective cueing mechanism for FoG prevention.

Outcomes of screening Parkinson's patients for QTc prolongation.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are commonly prescribed medication that has recently been associated with QTc prolongation on electrocardiograms (ECG). In addition, research suggests that PD patients may be more at risk of QTc prolongation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of screening PD patients for QTc prolongation. METHODS: ECG analysis of PD patients attending for routine outpatient PD review in 2012 who were prescribed medication that could potentially prolong their QTc interval. We noted prescribing changes and any repeat ECG findings. We also reviewed any recent ECGs of clinic patients not on QTc prolonging medication. RESULTS: A third of our PD clinic patients (63/192) were prescribed QTc prolonging medication. Of these 61/63 (97%) ECGs were available. 20/61 (33%) showed QTc prolongation. 6/20 (30%) had significant prolongation >500 ms. 18/20 (90%) patients had medication changes made, and of the 12/18 (67%) ECGs repeated in this group all improved with 11 demonstrating normalisation of the QTc interval. Of the 51 available ECGs in patients not prescribed QTc prolonging medication 3/51 (6%) showed QTc prolongation. Statistical analysis showed that QTc prolongation was significantly associated with the prescription of QTC prolonging medication and stage of PD. CONCLUSION: QTc prolongation in PD patients caused by medication is a major modifiable risk factor. A routine ECG should be considered if a PD patient is currently prescribed medication that can prolong the QTc interval. Also consideration should be given to performing this simple test prior to commencing QTc prolonging medication.