Parkinson’s Trials Execution Challenges and Solutions

This guide discusses the challenges faced in executing clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease, particularly focusing on the operational difficulties that lead to high dropout rates. It outlines the barriers to participation, such as motor fluctuations and the age-related issues of the patient population, which complicate travel to trial sites. The document presents evidence from recent studies highlighting the effectiveness of decentralized community-integrated research sites compared to traditional models, showing higher recruitment rates and better retention. It details the advantages of home-based trial designs, citing the TOPAZ trial as a successful example of remote participation. The guide emphasizes the importance of operational design in trial execution, suggesting that sponsors must prioritize these factors alongside scientific considerations to improve recruitment and retention. The attached infographic provides a return on investment analysis for implementing Home Trial Support in Parkinson’s trials, demonstrating significant time and cost savings while enhancing patient participation.