Comparison of office-based versus home web-based clinical assessments for Parkinson's disease

Background: The feasibility and validity of Web‐based assessments in Parkinson's disease is unknown. The objectives of this study were to develop and to compare home Web‐based assessments with office‐based assessments. Methods: We tested feasibility and validity using a longitudinal, randomized crossover design. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks using both assessments including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, the Unified Dyskinesia Rating scale, timed tests, and quality‐of life and Non‐Motor Symptoms questionnaires. Results: Forty‐two patients were included (22 men, 20 women; mean age, 64.7 ± 9.0 years). Only 2 patients (5%) dropped out. The mean intraclass correlation coefficient between Web‐ and office‐based assessments ranged from 0.67 (first visit) to 0.75 (last visit) and 0.81 and 0.82 for doctor‐ and patient‐administered scales, respectively. No differences in responsiveness (P = 0.63), and data precision (P = 0.11) were found, but Web‐based assessments had fewer missing values (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Web‐based assessments offer a feasible format for assessing PD‐related impairment from home. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society