Measurement



In parkinsonism, the global clinical score holds sway, but is a blunt instrument. It was obvious, all along, to our clinical pharmacology core group that quantification of the facets is essential. Simple relevant tests of performance have been advocated, but often with inadequate attention to their sensitivity, specificity and reliability. Emphasis on suitable methodology opens up the field to:

• Conducting studies with a high statistical power, using small numbers of subjects.
• Much needed longitudinal studies.
• Detection of, and intervention in, early disease states.

Novel methods of measuring syndrome and effects intervention


• Development of an inexpensive, simple to use “pocket gait laboratory”.

• Defining quantitative functional markers of the risk of falling in early parkinsonism.

• Measurement of nocturnal axial rotation, with a high resolution, to identify those at risk of pressure sores and as a marker of early parkinsonism.




• Re-engineering to produce a lightweight, portable device for quantifying rigidity and devising a protocol, to give reproducible results.




• Putting together a comprehensive objective assessment facility to analyse patients’ problems, quantify disability and follow disease progression.

• Quantification of the prolonged cognitive processing time sometimes associated with parkinsonism.

• Design of a pill box with an electronic monitor for measurement and display of consistency, as well as totality, of compliance with medication.