FAQs

Not at all. A research nurse would probably randomise the patient and check the baseline questionnaires. The remaining questionnaires are sent to the participant directly from the BCTU. The participants then complete the form at home and then post them back.

The whole 31 months is to get the total number of patients required. We understand if departments drop out because of maternity leave, etc.

12 months after they are randomised.

Patients will be eligible for randomisation into the trial if they have a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic PD as defined by the UK PDS Brain Bank Criteria and report problems with voice or speech. 

Patients will be excluded if they have dementia (as defined by the patient’s clinician), have evidence of laryngeal pathology, or have received speech and language therapy in the last 24 months.

The initial SLT assessments should occur within 4 weeks (in standard NHS arm) or 7 weeks (in LSVT arm) of patient randomisation. The therapy interventions should be completed within 3 months post-randomisation.

The therapy can be delivered in any setting other than inpatient i.e. the patients must be living in their own homes at the time of intervention. The intervention will most likely be delivered in whatever setting you would normally provide therapy in your particular services. However, the setting of therapy may also be dependent on the individual goals of the patient and the equipment and resources required to deliver the treatment needed.

No. The recommended dose provided in the trial literature reflects the median dose  reported in survey literature for SLT practice in current services. Again, it is not meant to be prescriptive and the dose of therapy delivered should reflect a patient’s individual needs. We recognise that some patients will require more than 6 visits whilst others may require less. The only constraint is that the therapy should be completed before the patient’s assessment at 3 months post-randomisation.

Yes. The patient will be assessed for the purposes of the trial at a number of assessment points (randomisation, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months) through posted, self-completed outcome measures. However, it is acceptable to utilise outcome measures throughout the delivery of therapy sessions to inform the progression and dose of your treatment.

All findings of assessments and interventions delivered for patients during the trial should be recorded as in your normal practice in the patient’s individual notes. In addition we will ask you to summarise the intervention delivered for each patient in an intervention log for each session. The intervention logs are available to download from here.

Yes. An intervention log should be completed as well as an initial assessment log for the first visit. If no treatment is given or needed, this can be recorded.