Comparison of office-based versus home web-based clinical assessments for Parkinson's disease

Background: The feasibility and validity of Web-based assessments in Parkinson's disease is unknown. The objectives of this study were to develop and to compare home Web-based assessments with office-based assessments. Methods: We tested feasibility and validity using a longitudinal, randomized crossover design. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks using both assessments including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, the Unified Dyskinesia Rating scale, timed tests, and quality-of life and Non-Motor Symptoms questionnaires. Results: Forty-two patients were included (22 men, 20 women; mean age, 64.7 ± 9.0 years). Only 2 patients (5%) dropped out. The mean intraclass correlation coefficient between Web- and office-based assessments ranged from 0.67 (first visit) to 0.75 (last visit) and 0.81 and 0.82 for doctor- and patient-administered scales, respectively. No differences in responsiveness (P = 0.63), and data precision (P = 0.11) were found, but Web-based assessments had fewer missing values (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Web-based assessments offer a feasible format for assessing PD-related impairment from home.