Parkinson’s Outcomes Project

Couple hugging outside

The Parkinson’s Foundation invests millions of dollars into research to help improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). One of our largest research initiatives, the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project, has now concluded.

Started in 2009, the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project was one of the largest-ever clinical studies of Parkinson’s disease with more than 13,000 participants in five countries. Through this groundbreaking initiative, Parkinson’s Foundation Centers of Excellence tracked and monitored the care of people with Parkinson’s over time.

Parkinson's Outcome Project Infographic

This project was innovative because it studied everyone with Parkinson’s, from the newly diagnosed to people who have lived with the disease for 20 years or more. This provided us with a comprehensive view of the disease and its overall impact on people’s lives.

Our unique study evaluated a wide range of Parkinson’s factors, including:

  • Most effective Parkinson’s treatments
  • Therapy benefits
  • Best candidates for each treatment
  • Various exercise program benefits
  • Care partner impacts
Parkinson's Outcomes Project cover

Research has shown that the better we manage Parkinson’s today, the better life will be tomorrow. In addition to finding better treatments for people with Parkinson’s and sharing models of excellent care with health professionals, we are working to ensure that every person with Parkinson’s receives the best possible care, no matter where they live.

For our last study update, read "Parkinson’s Outcomes Project: Improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s through research." This publication highlights landmark findings and how this research guided Foundation priorities.

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Research Highlights

  • Regular neurologist care can save the lives of thousands of people each year.
  • People with Parkinson’s who receive different medicines and treatment plans, depending on where they receive care, show vastly different results.
  • Increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can slow the decline in quality of life.
  • Interventions providing neuroprotective benefits, such as exercise, could change the course of the disease.
  • Depression and anxiety are the number one factors impacting the overall health of people with Parkinson’s.
  • Caregiving plays an important role in the care people with Parkinson's receive. Understanding how to best provide day-to-day care will help improve the quality of life for those with Parkinson’s.

The Parkinson’s Foundation focuses on what people with Parkinson’s need today. Your investment and support allow us to help people live their best lives now until there is a tomorrow without Parkinson’s.

anne_wray
MY PD STORY: Anne Wray

When I am boxing, running or weight training, I feel like my 'old' self again. Not someone 'too young to have Parkinson's', with a shaking hand, unsteady gait and just awkward!

READ Anne's STORY
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