Stimulation of the tibial nerve-a randomised trial for urinary problems associated with Parkinson's-the STARTUP trial.

Background: non-motor symptoms such as bladder dysfunction are common (80%) in people with Parkinson's increasing the risk for falls with a negative impact on health-related costs and quality of life.We undertook STARTUP to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of using an adhesive electrode to stimulate the transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) to treat bladder dysfunction in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).Study design, materials and methods: STARTUP was a parallel two-arm, multi-centre, pragmatic, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Stimulation of the tibial nerve: a protocol for a multicentred randomised controlled trial for urinary problems associated with Parkinson's disease-STARTUP.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is the second most common chronic neurodegenerative condition with bladder dysfunction affecting up to 71%. Symptoms affect quality of life and include urgency, frequency, hesitancy, nocturia and incontinence. Addressing urinary dysfunction is one of the top 10 priority research areas identified by the James Lind Alliance and Parkinson's UK.

Sensory Electrical Stimulation Cueing May Reduce Freezing of Gait Episodes in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: Freezing of gait (FoG) is a movement abnormality that presents with advancing Parkinson's disease (PD) and is one of the most debilitating symptoms of the disease. The mainstay of nonpharmacological management of FoG is typically through external cueing techniques designed to relieve or prevent the freezing episode. Previous work shows that electrical stimulation may prove useful as a gait guidance technique, but further evidence is required.

Evaluation of delirium screening tools in geriatric medical inpatients: a diagnostic test accuracy study.

Introduction: screening all unscheduled older adults for delirium is recommended in national guidelines, but there is no consensus on how to perform initial assessment.

Aim: to evaluate the test accuracy of five brief cognitive assessment tools for delirium diagnosis in routine clinical practice.

Methods: a consecutive cohort of non-elective, elderly care (older than 65 years) hospital inpatients admitted to a geriatric medical assessment unit of an urban teaching hospital.

Abdominal massage for the alleviation of symptoms of constipation in people with Parkinson's: a randomised controlled pilot study.

Background: constipation is one of the most common non-motor features of Parkinson's affecting up to 90% of patients. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalisation and is usually managed with laxatives which in themselves can lead to side effects. Abdominal massage has been used as adjunct in the management of constipation in various populations, but not in those with Parkinson's.

Outcomes of screening Parkinson's patients for QTc prolongation.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) patients are commonly prescribed medication that has recently been associated with QTc prolongation on electrocardiograms (ECG). In addition, research suggests that PD patients may be more at risk of QTc prolongation.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of screening PD patients for QTc prolongation.