Qualitative Analysis of Attitudes, Knowledge, and Interest in Research of People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Care Partners Receiving Accessible Research Education

Background. People with Parkinson’s disease (PWP) and their care partners (CP) are underrepresented in research. Methods. As an eight-week research advocacy training program, TeleDREAMS was designed to increase understanding of, and participation in, clinical research by older adults through topics on the research process. Qualitative analysis was conducted to explore themes from 365 thirty-minute semistructured phone interviews with 32 PWP and 17 CP TeleDREAMS participants. Interviews gauged progress, motivation, and information retention after each weekly module. Results. Eight salient themes were identified from the interviews, including Understanding the Importance of Advocacy and Becoming Cognizant of Past Advocacy Experiences. Conclusions. While some findings aligned with weekly module topics, others, such as stated learning preferences and knowledge acquisition of older adults in an educational program, were unexpected. TeleDREAMS may increase interest in community engagement, research participation, and advocacy roles in marginalized and underrepresented participants

Parkinson’s Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: Individual and Combined Effects on Motor, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Functions

Background/objective: Understanding the effects of multimorbidity on motor and cognitive function is important for tailoring therapies. Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) have a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study investigated if individuals with comorbid PD and DM experienced poorer functional ability compared to individuals with only PD or DM. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 424 individuals: healthy older adults (HOA), n = 170; PD without DM (PD-only), n = 162; DM without PD (DM-only), n = 56; and comorbid PD and DM (PD+DM), n = 36. Motor, motor–cognitive, cognitive, and psychosocial functions and PD motor symptoms were compared among groups using a two-way analyses of covariance with PD and DM as factors. Results: The PD-only and DM-only participants exhibited slower gait, worse balance, reduced strength, and less endurance. Motor–cognitive function was impaired in individuals with PD but not DM. DM-only participants exhibited impaired inhibition. Individuals with comorbid PD+DM had worse PD motor symptoms and exhibited impaired attention compared to the PD-only group. Conclusions: Having PD or DM was independently associated with poorer physical and mental quality of life, depression, and greater risk for loss of function. Both PD and DM have independent adverse effects on motor function. Comorbid PD+DM further impairs attention compared to the effect of PD-only, suggesting the importance of therapies focusing on attention. Understanding the functional ability levels for motor and cognitive domains will enhance the clinical care for PD, DM, and PD+DM