A Randomized Crossover Pilot Study of Telemedicine Delivered via iPads in Parkinson’s Disease

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: We investigated the feasibility and safety of a video-based telemedicine system, delivered via a tablet, in Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: In a randomized, crossover, open-label pilot trial, we compared a telemedicine period (regular visits every two months with intermediate video calls via an iPad mini) with a control period (regular visits every two months), both lasting 6 months. We included 10 patients diagnosed with PD according to the British Brain Bank criteria, aged 20-75 years. The primary outcome was the PD questionnaire summary index (PDQ-39 SI). Secondary outcomes included the Hoehn and Yahr Stage and scores on the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) part I-IV, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and visual analog scale for satisfaction. RESULTS: > 0.05). With respect to visual analog scale scores for satisfaction, participants indicated high satisfaction with the telemedicine system. The number of extra hospital visits and phone calls did not differ between the periods. There were no adverse events or side effects. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that a telemedicine system delivered via a tablet could successfully be used by patients as a part of their care. Further studies investigating the use of telemedicine to replace in-person visits are warranted. This trial is registered with UMIN000015536.

Source: Parkinson s Disease

DOI: 10.1155/2019/9403295

Authors: Satoko Sekimoto, Genko Oyama, Taku Hatano, Fuyuko Sasaki, Ryota Nakamura, Takayuki Jo, Yasushi Shimo, Nobutaka Hattori

Institution: Juntendo University

Language: English

Topic: Telemedicine and Telehealth Implementation

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,160

Awards: G1506688851, G3370692760, Pathomechanisms of Parkinson disease due to dysfunction of iPLA2G6, G5284441846, G6099886756, Examination of Caffeine Metabolism Changes and Parkinson's Disease Symptom Correlation Based on Metabolite-Related Gene Analysis, G7162770225

OpenAlex ID: W2908003261