Low Vision Occupational Therapy in Parkinson's Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary aim of this study is to determine whether low-vision occupational therapy improves quality of life in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. Low-vision occupational therapy has not been previously studied in PD patients, and we suspect that this is a beneficial treatment option for PD patients as vision impairment is common in the PD patient population. Our primary objective will assess whether quality of life was improved following a low-vision occupational therapy session.

Detailed Description
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This project will be an exploratory study that will evaluate the benefits of low vision occupational therapy in the treatment of PD using the Revised Self-Report Assessment of Functional Visual Performance (R-SRAFVP) as the primary outcome measure. This tool assesses 33 vision-dependent ADLs ranging from personal care, leisurely activities, clothing management, meal preparation, etc. Patients are able to rank their ability to complete these tasks as independent, minimally difficult, moderately difficult, greatly difficult, unable, or not applicable. This will allow us to capture potential changes in the patient's ability to complete vision-specific ADLs following low vision occupational therapy. In addition, we will also evaluate quality of life using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), to compare this broad outcome measure with the R-SRAFVP.

Official Title
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Low Vision Occupational Therapy in Parkinson's Disease

Conditions
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Parkinson Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Low Vision Occupational Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18 and older seen at UAB Movement Disorders Clinic diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease able to read, speak, and understand spoken English. Exclusion Criteria: minors cognitively impaired

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Low Vision Occupational Therapy<br>The anticipated low vision occupational therapy intervention strategy includes training participants to compensate for their vision more effectively for increased participation in ADLs and IADLs. | Behavioral: Low Vision Occupational Therapy<br>* Occupational therapy may include methods to effectively modify environments (such as addition of task lighting), training in the use of assistive technology (such as voice activated devices), teaching new skills (such as sensory substitution) and prevention of accidents and injury (such as home safety modifications).<br>* Other names: Occupational Therapy;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Activities of Daily Living | Revised Self-Report Assessment of Functional Visual Performance (R-SRAFVP). This tool assesses 33 vision-dependent ADLs ranging from personal care, leisurely activities, clothing management, meal preparation, etc. Patients are able to rank their ability to complete these tasks as independent, minimally difficult, moderately difficult, greatly difficult, unable, or not applicable. | Changes measured in the R-SRAFVP from the initial visit as compared to the visit six months later. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in quality of life | Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39); The PDQ-39 assesses how often people affected by Parkinson's experience difficulties across 8 dimensions of daily living including relationships, social situations and communication | Changes measured in the PDQ-39 from the initial visit as compared to the visit six months later. |