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A long-term self-managed handwriting intervention for people with Parkinson's disease: results from the control group of a phase II randomized controlled trial [with consumer summary]
Collett J, Franssen M, Winward C, Izadi H, Meaney A, Mahmoud W, Bogdanovic M, Tims M, Wade D, Dawes H
Clinical Rehabilitation 2017 Dec;31(12):1636-1645
clinical trial
6/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To report on the control group of a trial primarily designed to investigate exercise for improving mobility in people with Parkinson's disease (pwP). The control group undertook a handwriting intervention to control for attention and time spent practising a specific activity. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a two-arm parallel phase II randomized controlled trial with blind assessment. SETTING: Community. PARTICIPANTS: PwP able to walk 100m and with no contraindication to exercise were recruited from the Thames Valley, UK, and randomized (1:1) to exercise or handwriting, via a concealed computer-generated list. INTERVENTION: Handwriting was undertaken at home and exercise in community facilities; both were delivered through workbooks with monthly support visits and involved practice for 1 hour, twice weekly, over a period of six months. MAIN MEASURES: Handwriting was assessed, at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months, using a pangram giving writing speed, amplitude (area) and progressive reduction in amplitude (ratio). The Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) item 2.7 measured self-reported handwriting deficits. RESULTS: In all, 105 pwP were recruited (analysed n = 51 handwriting, n = 54 exercise). A total of 40 pwP adhered to the handwriting programme, most completing 1 session/week. Moderate effects were found for amplitude (total area d = 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.11 to 0.7; p = 0.13) in favour of handwriting over a period of 12 months; effects for writing speed and ratio parameters were small <= 0.11. Self-reported handwriting difficulties also favoured handwriting (UPDRS 2.7: odds ratio (OR) 0.55; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.91; p = 0.02). No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: PwP generally adhere to self-directed home handwriting which may provide benefit with minimal risk. Encouraging effects were found in writing amplitude and, moreover, perceived ability.

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