Does Information from the Parkinson KinetiGraph™ (PKG) Influence the Neurologist's Treatment Decisions?-An Observational Study in Routine Clinical Care of People with Parkinson's Disease

Management of Parkinson's disease traditionally relies solely on clinical assessment. The PKG objectively measures affected persons' movements in daily life. The present study evaluated how often PKG data changed treatment decisions in routine clinical care and to what extent the clinical assessment and the PKG interpretation differed. PKG recordings were performed before routine visits. The neurologist first made a clinical assessment without reviewing the PKG. Signs and symptoms were recorded, and a treatment plan was documented. Afterward, the PKG was evaluated. Then, the neurologist decided whether to change the initial treatment plan or not. PKG review resulted in a change in the initial treatment plan in 21 of 66 participants (31.8%). The clinical assessment and the PKG review differed frequently, mainly regarding individual overall presence of motor problems (67%), profile of bradykinesia/wearing off (79%), dyskinesia (35%) and sleep (55%). PKG improved the dialogue with the participant in 88% of cases. PKG and clinical variables were stable when they were repeated after 3-6 months. In conclusion, PKG information changes treatment decisions in nearly a third of people with Parkinson's disease in routine care. Standard clinical assessment and PKG evaluation are often non-identical. Objective measurements in people living with Parkinson's disease can add therapeutically relevant information.

Automated summary

Management of Parkinson's disease traditionally depends on clinical assessment, but PKG data can change treatment decisions in about one-third of patients in routine care. Clinical assessment and PKG evaluation often differ, with objective measurements providing valuable information for those living with Parkinson's disease.