Inclusion | Â |
---|---|
1. | Independently-living subjects with clinically-definitea idiopathic parkinsonism |
2. | Taking no or stable anti-parkinsonian medication |
3. | Caucasian with English as first language and living in UKb |
Exclusion | Â |
1. | Secondary parkinsonism, ‘parkinsonism-plus’ syndromes and other wider clinical entities[70] |
2. | Clinical depression[71], dementia[72] or other mental illness |
3. | Other specific neurological condition |
4. | Inflammatory bowel disease or history of major gastrointestinal surgery |
5. | Other progressive or resolving disorders affecting physical ability or performance, or underlying incapacity sufficient to prevent assessments (e.g. use of walking aid) |
6. | Cardiovascular/respiratory symptoms during normal activities |
7. | UK MRC muscle strength score <4/5 |
8. | Arthropathy, mucsulo-skeletal disorder or overt abnormalities of, or history of orthopaedic surgery to, joints of spine or lower limbs |
9. | Concurrent therapy with drugs which might be anti-dopaminergic or with hypnotics or sedatives |
10. | Recent change in life situation (e.g. bereavement or change in marital status/domicile) |