Parkinson’s UK urging more people to take part in clinical studies
This month, people living with Parkinson’s in the Plymouth area are being urged to come forward and take part in clinical trials, the results of which could transform the lives of those with the condition. There are over 3,300 people living with Parkinson’s in Devon.
Parkinson’s UK is supporting recruitment for a study which is looking at whether an already licensed medication can help to prevent falls. The CHIEF-PD falls study is being carried out at 36 sites across England, Scotland and Wales, including Derriford Hospital. Falls are a common complication of Parkinson's and researchers need to hear from people with the condition who have experienced a fall within the last year. The trial involves wearing a sticky medication patch and participants can take part from home or travel to the local research site.
Clinical trials are often the final stage of research, where it becomes clear whether a new treatment is safe and effective. The only way this vital stage of research can happen is if people take part in the studies. Research projects like the CHIEF-PD falls prevention study are still recovering from recruitment delays due to the covid-19 pandemic, or problems with staff capacity at NHS trial sites. But as more people step up to take part, these trials will get closer to finding the answers.
Associate Professor Henderson, who leads the CHIEF-PD falls prevention trial, said: “We are closer than ever to discovering whether this innovative approach could help improve balance and prevent falls in people with Parkinson’s. Thank you to all those people who came forward and are supporting the trial. We now need more people to sign up by November 30th, so we can test in a wider group and ultimately determine whether the medication patch is really having an impact.”
Tincy Jose is a nurse who lives with Parkinson’s. She's also a member of the Parkinson’s UK Race Equality in Research steering group and a dedicated campaign volunteer. She said:
“I take part in research because if I could help find a treatment, that would be the best thing to do for the Parkinson's community. I also hope that, being a healthcare professional from an ethnic minority background, I can motivate more diverse people with Parkinson’s to come forward and get involved in research.”
Becky Jones, Research Communications Officer at Parkinson’s UK, said: “Clinical trials help us gain valuable insights and answers about the safety and effectiveness of potential Parkinson’s drugs. People like Tincy are a crucial piece of the jigsaw puzzle. Taking part in research can be quite simple, local and often home-based. We would love more people to come forward and join us so we can all move towards better treatments and, ultimately, find a cure for Parkinson’s.”
To find out more about the balance and falls prevention trial, please visit the website or email: marina.dobranszky-oroian@nhs.net
To find out more about the many research trials that Parkinson’s UK is helping to recruit for, please go to the Take Part Hub https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/take-part-research.
