WECARE APD: Assessing a Single Multidisciplinary Team Visit for Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders

Launched by WESTERN UNIVERSITY · Feb 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The WECARE APD trial is looking at a new way to help people with Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders (APD), which are brain conditions that share some symptoms with Parkinson's disease but progress more quickly and don't respond well to standard treatments. These disorders, including Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), can make life very challenging for patients and their caregivers because they often need to see multiple specialists. This study will test whether having a single visit with a team of specialists can improve the quality of life for patients and reduce stress for caregivers.

To participate in the study, individuals must be over 40 years old and have a diagnosed APD. Unfortunately, those with severe physical or cognitive challenges that prevent them from attending the clinic will not be eligible. Participants can expect to attend a six-month study where they will either receive the team-based care right away or continue with their usual care for the first six months. Throughout the study, they will fill out questionnaires to share their experiences and well-being. This is an exciting opportunity to see if this new model of care could provide better support for APD patients and their families, and potentially lead to improved care for other complicated neurological conditions in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria (Participants must meet all of the following conditions to be eligible for the study):
• • Participants must be older than 40 years.
• • The participant must meet the standard international consensus criteria for a clinically probable diagnosis of one of the following neurodegenerative conditions:Multiple System Atrophy (MSA);Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP);Cortico-Basal Syndrome (CBS)
• Exclusion Criteria (Participants will be excluded if they meet any of the following conditions):
• * Severe Physical or Cognitive Limitations:
• • Participants must be able to attend the clinic.
• • Individuals with severe physical disabilities or cognitive impairments that prevent clinic attendance will be excluded.
• * Life-Threatening Comorbidities:
• • Participants with severe, advanced medical conditions that significantly impact survival or functional ability will be excluded. These include, but are not limited to:End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis; End-stage congestive heart failure (CHF) with severe functional impairment; Advanced malignancy (such as metastatic cancer or terminal cancer with limited prognosis).
• • Living in long-term care, away from the care-partner