Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of PDSAFE to prevent falls among people with Parkinson's Disease.

This study aims to recruit 600 people with Parkinsons disease (PD). It concerns a multi-centre, single-blinded, randomised, controlled trial. The study intends to compare a fall prevention program PDSAFE (a novel personalised treatment based on the latest published research evidence and our extensive experience of managing the movement and stability problems of people with PD) with routine care (provision of a Parkinsons information DVD and fall education booklet combined with standard care). The primary aim of this trial is to determine the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the novel personalised intervention (PDSAFE) as a supplement to usual healthcare management in PD. The primary outcome is the risk of repeat falling between 0-6 months post-randomization. Analyses will control for falls in the three month period prior to recruitment and disease severity. Falls data will be collected through self-completed diaries. Data collection will involve several clinical centres in the United Kingdom (coordinator: prof. A. Ashburn Southampton). KU Leuven will be providing expertise in the design of the intervention, making up the DVD-technology and in overall trial management.

Keywords:Parkinson's Disease, Gait, falls, exercise, frezing of gait, cueing, rehabilitation, fall prevention

Disciplines:Orthopaedics, Human movement and sports sciences, Rehabilitation sciences