Educational Sessions for Parkinson's Disease

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Toronto

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?The success of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is more correlated to fulfillment of patients' expectations, than merely improvement of motor status1. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to inform the DBS candidates as good as possible to set realistic expectations. Currently, the patient - most of the time accompanied by a family member - is informed about the surgery and its benefits and risks during the outpatient consultation of the neurologist, and later on during the consultation of the neurosurgeon. Written information is provided in the form of a booklet that the patients take home. Due to the large amount of information, not all of it can be captured by the patient. Therefore, we would like to investigate whether an additional online immersive educational session on DBS would better educate the patient. The online session is a 1-hour video call with a small group of DBS candidates and their caregivers, lead by DBS experts, where testimonials of other patients are shown, together with multiple infographics. Two weeks later their will be a second online session summarizing the information and providing the opportunity for Q\&A.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Parkinson's Disease who are candidates for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery. They should be able to attend two online educational sessions about DBS, including a Q&A. The specific inclusion and exclusion criteria are not provided in the details given.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18 and can understand and agree to the study's requirements.

I am a Parkinson's patient eligible for DBS surgery at Toronto Western Hospital.

My surgery targets are balanced in the study.

+1 more

Exclusion Criteria

People with limited digital skills (to the discretion of the PI)

Participant Groups

The study is testing whether virtual learning experiences can help patients set realistic expectations about DBS surgery. It involves two online sessions: an immersive educational video call and a follow-up session for summarizing information and answering questions.

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Educational GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Patients will receive two extra virtual educational sessions.

Group II: Standard-of-CareActive Control1 Intervention

Patients will not receive any extra educational sessions. Their education will be provided as per standard-of-care by the clinical team.