Are Parkinson’s Clinical Trials Worth Your Valuable Time?

Whether you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or you’re helping your loved one learn to live with the disease, it’s likely you’ve heard about clinical trials for Parkinson’s. 

Maybe you read about them while doing some general Parkinson’s research online. Or someone in your care team brought them up as a possibility. Or someone you know who has been dealing with Parkinson’s in their life for longer mentioned them.

Regardless, you may still have questions about what the trials involve – or if they’re even worth considering. Below, we’re going to try to answer all your burning questions and break down why clinical trials are something you should strongly consider being a part of.

What Exactly are Parkinson’s Clinical Trials?

Simply put, clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments, therapies, or approaches to managing Parkinson’s. These trials help researchers determine whether a new treatment, therapy, or approach is safe and effective. Some specific types of things that might be tested in a clinical trial include new:

• Medications
• Surgical techniques
• Physical therapies
• Diets
• Exercises

Are Parkinson’s Clinical Trials Important?

Incredibly. These trials are essential to finding better ways to slow the disease, manage symptoms, and improve overall quality of life for those dealing with Parkinson’s. Every single approved treatment that is available today went through clinical trials before reaching patients.

Clinical trials advance research that could lead to better treatments for you and future generations. Ultimately, the hope is that this type of research will lead to a cure for the disease somewhere down the line.

What Happens in a Clinical Trial for Parkinson’s?

While every trial is different, most follow a similar structure:

Screening. Doctors check if you meet the study’s criteria.

Informed Consent. You’ll get a full explanation of the trial, including risks and benefits. You can ask questions and choose whether to participate.

Participation. Depending on the nature of the study, you may take medication, undergo a procedure, or follow a specific therapy plan. Some trials require frequent doctor visits, while others can be done mostly from home.

Monitoring. Researchers track your progress, noting any benefits or side effects.

Follow-up. When the study ends, you may have follow-up visits to assess long-term effects.

How Dangerous are Parkinson’s Clinical Trials?

In a clinical trial, safety is always the top priority. Before a trial can even start, researchers have to get approval from regulatory agencies and ethics committees. Then, throughout the study, doctors closely monitor participants to catch any issues early. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean there are no risks or negative possibilities. The study might require extra time and travel in order to participate, which may prove taxing. You could go through the entire thing only to discover that the treatment in question has no effect on you, or you could experience side effects.

The possible side effects differ for every clinical trial, so make sure you ask about these and learn as much information as possible before agreeing to participate.

What are the Potential Benefits of Participating in a Parkinson’s Clinical Trial?

There are several possible benefits you might enjoy as a participant, including:

• Access to cutting-edge treatments before they become available to the general public.
• Close medical supervision from specialists.
• The chance to contribute to Parkinson’s research and help others.

As a Parkinson’s Patient, Can You Automatically Join Any Parkinson’s Clinical Trial?

No. Each trial has specific criteria for who can participate. Factors like your age, how advanced your Parkinson’s is, other medical conditions, and even your genetic background can determine eligibility. 

Some trials look for people who are newly diagnosed, while others need participants with more advanced symptoms. If you’re interested in a particular trial, you should contact the trial team. They will review your medical history to see if you qualify.

How Do You Learn about Parkinson’s Clinical Trials?

There are many ways to find a Parkinson’s clinical trial:

Your doctor. Ask if they know of any relevant studies.

Support groups. Local or online communities often share trial opportunities.

Online databases. Websites like ClinicalTrials.gov are dedicated to keeping track of available and ongoing trials.