Lifestyle and Non-motor Symptom Management in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease (PD) has generally been thought of as a movement disorder however other health-related symptoms, known as non-motor symptoms, are also very common. Non-motor symptoms can be very broad and present in numerous conditions, making identifying the symptoms of early-stage Parkinson's disease very difficult. Non-motor symptoms, including fatigue, and problems with sleep and mood, can happen decades before motor symptoms and have a greater impact on quality of life and psychological wellbeing. Despite this treatment options for non-motor symptoms are limited and therefore the development and testing of new treatments is a main priority. Due to the limited treatments options available, self-management of symptoms through positive lifestyle changes is a warranted area of research. The perspectives amongst patients, caregivers, and HCP's regarding lifestyle behavior change and its impact on fatigue and related non-motor symptoms has yet to be investigated in detail. This study includes two stages: telephone interviews and online consensus workshops. Patients with PD whom have experience of fatigue, partners/caregivers and Healthcare professionals will be able to participate in interviews only, workshops only or both. The interviews will investigate patients, partners/caregivers and Healthcare Professionals views and priorities of lifestyle factors in the management of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease as well as identifying factors that influence lifestyle changes amongst PD patients. Stage 2 will involve small consensus workshops to generate ideas and feedback related to the design and content of the soon-to be developed lifestyle program. Results from both stages of this study will be used to help develop and design a lifestyle management program for fatigue and associated non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease.