Self-Reports of Executive Functions in Persons With Parkinson's Disease and Their Significant Others

The investigators are conducting a study to compare the self-reports of executive functions (that is to say, what role cognitive processes such as working memory and attention) in persons with Parkinson's Disease to the reports of executive functions completed by their significant others.

To conduct this study, the investigators need the participation of persons who are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and their significant others.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Parkinsonism or Parkinson's Disease Nos

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the self-reported executive functions (EFs) in persons with Parkinsons disease (PD) and their significant others. Executive functions include basic cognitive processes such as attention, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. As this proposed study will test not only cognitive functioning, but specific aspects of it (i.e., EFs) without excluding persons with PD who have identified cognitive impairments, outcomes gathered could provide valuable information to better assist all types of persons with PD. Comparing their self-reported EFs to the EF ratings completedy by their signifiant others can help determine if a disparity exists between self-perceptions and actual observed EF abilties. This study would assess EFs through inhibition responses of participants via computerized versions the Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory-Adult Self-Report and Observer forms.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Jane Roitsch, PhD; Phone Number: 2163347628; Email: jroitsch@odu.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Virginia
    • Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 23508
      • Recruiting
      • Old Dominion University
      • Contact: Jane Roitsch; Phone Number: 216-334-7628; Email: jroitsch@odu.edu
      • Contact: Jane Roitsch; Phone Number: 2163347628; Email: jroitsch@odu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 30 years to 79 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Parkinson's group: Adults with a Parkinson's disease diagnosis and their significant others.

Healthy elderly: no history of neurologic disease (e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury)

Both groups:

Age 30-79 years with no history of other neurologic diseases, orthopedic, or arthritic conditions that preclude ability to walk

Some of the earliest cognitive symptoms of Parkinsonism involve executive function deficits (e.g., working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning; Williams-Gray, Foltynie, Lewis, and Barker, 2006). What is less understood, however, is whether a relationship exists between the self-reported EFs in persons with Parkinsonism and their significant others. The need for research to investigate the relationship between EFs in persons with Parkinsonism is evident in the limited body of literature currently available.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• For persons with PD,confirmed diagnosis of PD) For significant others - relationship with person with PD

Exclusion Criteria:All participants will be screened to ensure they do not have:

• any known cognitive disorders other than those associated with PD
• impairments in vision that would affect their ability to safely participate in the study
• recent history of neuromuscular injury/ damage that could affect their ability to complete the CEFI
• the participant will be excluded if he or she is unable to follow commands well enough to complete the CEFI

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Other
• Time Perspectives: Other

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Persons with PD; Adults with PD will be provided with email link to complete the Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory-Self-Assessment
Significant Others of those with PD; Adults whose significant other has a diagnosis of PD will be provided with email link to complete the Comprehensive Executive Function Inventory-Observer report

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Comparison of EF outcomes	Results of the self-reports of persons with PD and their Significant Others will be compared.	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Old Dominion University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 8, 2021
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): June 8, 2022
• Study Completion (Anticipated): June 8, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 9, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): June 16, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 22, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 15, 2021
• Last Verified: June 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: EFs and PD

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: No other researchers will received participant data information

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No