Research article

Effect of educational intervention on medication timing in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial

Katherine A Grosset^† and Donald G Grosset^*†

• * Corresponding author: Donald G Grosset d.grosset@clinmed.gla.ac.uk

• † Equal contributors

Author Affiliations

Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK

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BMC Neurology 2007, 7:20 doi:10.1186/1471-2377-7-20

Published: 16 July 2007

Abstract

Background

Medicine usage in Parkinson's disease patients is often imperfect, in particular irregular timing of medication. The effect of informing Parkinson's disease patients about the continuous dopaminergic hypothesis (to encourage regular medicine intake) on medication adherence and motor control was tested.

Methods

Patients were randomised either to the active group (receiving the intervention) or control group (no extra information). Antiparkinson medicine usage was monitored for 3 months before and after the intervention using electronic pill bottles which record the date and time of opening (MEMS^®, Aardex, Switzerland) and data used to calculate the percentage of doses taken at correct time intervals.

Results

43 patients (52%) were randomised to active counselling, and 40 (48%) were controls (standard management). The intervention effect (difference in timing adherence pre- to post-intervention between the 2 groups) was 13.4% (CI 5.1 to 21.7), p = 0.002. Parkinson motor scores did not change significantly (active group 0.1, CI -3.4 to 3.7) versus controls (4.5, CI 1.6 to 7.1), p = 0.06.

Conclusion

Timing adherence, but not motor scores, improves by providing patients with extra information. Therapy timing is of potential importance in Parkinson's disease management.

Trial registration number

NCT00361205