Report on the Initial Trials of Alternative Therapies as a Treatment
for Parkinson's Disease by the Chester Branch of the Parkinson's
Disease Society, Chester, UK.
By Robert French
Background
At the January 1994 meeting of the Chester Branch of the Parkinson's
Disease Society, it was proposed to undertake a feasibility study of
'alternative' therapies for Parkinson's Disease sufferers.
A sub committee of four met and discussed the proposed study and
concluded that a scientific and clinically controlled trial was beyond
the capabilities of the branch membership nor would funds be available
from the branch to employ the scientific and medical personnel
required.
Enquiries of headquarters revealed no such studies had been undertaken
by them or, to their knowledge, any other branch.
At a further meeting, which Beverley Shember, Area Officer of the
Society, attended, it was agreed to make preliminary enquiries into
therapies available locally and the cost of therapy sessions
From the information received, it was proposed that we would
investigate the feasibility of a course of therapies which could
realistically be funded and managed by th branch.
The above decision was determined by the receipt of a generous donation
of #1500 specifically for the alternative therapies project or 'special
project' as it became known.
Four therapies were considered for investigation and all sufferer
members were requested to complete a questionnaire, seeking their
preparedness to take part in the project.
As a result of the enquiries we were able to determine which therapies
would be investigated and how many members were prepared to take part.
With the information obtained, further enquiries were made of local
therapists and from the data received, a proposed branch managed
project was submitted to the Chester Branch Committee.
The project would consist of some 20 members of the branch undertaking
10 weekly sessions of either Acupuncture, Hypnotherapy, Reflexology or
Yoga at a cost of #300 per week at the Chester Clinic of Complementary
Medicine.
The proposed project was approved by the Branch Committee but the sub
committee was advised to prepare a feasibility report in order to raise
the additional funds required to meet the full costs.
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Close consultation and good liaison enabled the project to progress
most satisfactorily, starting on the 10th of March 1995. The 10
sessions to be interrupted by Easter after week 5.
Considering the difficulties Parkinson's Disease patients endure, the
co-operation of the clinic's staff and the sub committee was vital.
This was ably demonstrated by the clinic's ability to enable a number
of patients to undertake more than one therapy.
Considering the non clinical nature of the project and to bring
uniformity of assessment, each patient was required to maintain a
'diary' during the period of the course. A method of evaluating the
response to the treatment was designed by the sub committee
specifically for the trial.
Difficulty was experienced by some patients in completion of the
diaries and the method of evaluation was not easily understood.
The trials undertaken over a period of 11 weeks inevitably meant that
some patients were unable to complete their 10 sessions and in some
instances patients withdrew for various reasons during the period.
The advantage of the clinic being able to provide some patients with
additional therapies enabled the addition of non Parkinson members to
take part as 'control' patients.
Additionally, the Chairman of the Project, who acted as liaison
throughout the trial undertook sample sessions of each therapy.
A particularly encouraging result of carrying out the therapies, at
the clinic, was the bringing together of patients and carers in a
friendly environment and the opportunity to compare notes of the
Parkinson's problems. It also promoted a sense of common purpose in
sharing the projects experience, made evident by their enthusiasm for
an 'end of term' get together on the completion of the trials.
This enthusiasm could be of considerable benefit should it be possible
to revitalise it in some way.
On completion of the trials, some difficulty was experienced in
obtaining the completed diaries and not all the diaries were completed
as required but the following report on each of the therapies is drawn
from the diaries submitted.
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ACUPUNCTURE
This therapy was undertaken by Mr Charles Buck, Head of the Chester
clinic and 7 patients had a total of 42 Acupuncture sessions. Two
patients did not complete their course of treatment or medical reasons.
Listed below is a brief resume identified by Case Number of each of the
patients taking part.
CN1 A sufferer of some nine years, lost a relative during week 4
resulting in two weeks loss of treatment. Her biggest problem
was sleeping difficulties which by week 9 had improved but a
change in routine set this improvement back.
CN2 A patient recently diagnosed as a Parkinson sufferer (18
months) but suffering marked symptoms of PD, particularly
tremor. On completion of her eight sessions she had
experienced progressive improvement and was able to resume a
much busier life style.
CN3 A sufferer of some two years with little obvious symptoms but
reporting depression. This improved during treatment but her
mental state made it difficult to assess progress.
CN7 A sufferer of 13 years also suffered a number of additional
complaints , making it difficult to isolate a Parkinson's
Disease response. Following the weekly treatment, this
patient experienced initial discomfort which was followed by
an improvement in her general health. During the course of
treatment she sustained a rib injury which set back her
progress but by the end of the trial sleep and mobility had
improved.
CN4 Retired from the project after only three sessions.
Unfortunately,having experienced some discomfort after
treatment, chose to ignore advice to discuss the problem with
the therapist and did not keep any more appointments.
CN6 Was forced to retire from the trial after four sessions
following an accident. She was one of the non PD patients
CN22 Another control patient, attended four sessions with very
positive results. Suffering from a digestive disorder and
receiving medication, after treatment experienced no further
problems and the medication was discontinued.
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REFLEXOLOGY
This treatment was carried out by therapist Kate Quartermaine for most
of the course. Eight patients were involved, five of whom were men.
CN8 A sufferer for three years, undertook both yoga and
reflexology and at the same time underwent a change in PD
medication. As he describes in his diaries, it is difficult
to identify the cause but some general improvement was noted.
CN9 A long term sufferer with particularly intense tremor and
serious mobility problems, he was unable to complete the
course of treatment for medical reasons.
CN7 Also undergoing Acupuncture, attended nine Reflexology
sessions but due to the severity of her non related illnesses
found it difficult to identify PD improvement.
Significantly, Reflexology treatment by her carer had
successfully relieved involuntary movement
CN10 Undergoing Yoga (8 sessions in all) in addition to seven
sessions of Reflexology. Unfortunately, the diaries were not
very detailed but benefit in the form of greater relaxation
had improved both speech and mobility.
CN11 This patient is giving some concern, not only with regard to
this project but also to the branch. The patient had six
sessions but communication with the patient was very
difficult and it is impossible to assess any progress. That
the patient and his carer overcame the difficulties in
attending the clinic is highly commended.
CN17 A control patient who had undertaken four sessions of
Hypnotherapy and three sessions of Reflexology. Other
clinical conditions suffered by the patient made it difficult
to assess the efficacy of the treatment.
CN12 Taking part in nine Yoga sessions in addition to six
Reflexology treatments. The combined effect of both
therapies was to provide improvement in tremor and sleep.
The therapies appear to be complimentary because early Yoga
sessions caused some discomfort which may have ben relieved
by subsequent Reflexology treatment.
CN22 Another control patient undertook an single session of
Reflexology to appreciate the treatment, with a surprisingly
accurate diagnosis of the patient's health.
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HYPNOTHERAPY
This course of therapy was conducted by Hypnotherapist, Mr Noel
Glendon. Seven patients were involved, four of them men.
CN13 A PD sufferer for the past eight years and currently a victim
of sciatica which has made Hypnotherapy difficult to
administer. He reported an awareness obtained of relaxation
techniques and the powers of auto suggestion and its
potential but no PD symptoms appear affected.
CN14 A PD sufferer for 10 years with pronounced mobility and
speech difficulties. This patient was however, a very co-
operative member of the project with an interest in its
progress. He reported an improvement in mobility and sleep.
On week 4 of the course, undertook additional sessions of
Yoga. Half way through the course an annual visit to his
Consultant neurologist showed an improvement in his
condition, but difficulty in identifying the cause as some
dietary changes had also taken place.
CN15 A Parkinson sufferer for the past six years and aged 79. This
patient is unique in the trial insofar as he is not in
receipt of any medication for PD. Slow of gait but still very
capable, The hypnotherapy was beginning to show some positive
results with a reduction in tremor and general improvement.
This was, however, severely set back after a near miss while
driving home from the fifth session. He subsequently stopped
driving but managed to complete the course of 10 sessions and
recovered the ground lost. This patient was an excellent
example of what can be achieved with a positive attitude.
CN16 This member is not a Parkinson sufferer and was a useful
control patient. Suffering the effects of a neck injury and
acute stress, the initial session brought a big improvement
which was consolidated over the rest of the course.
CN17 Another control patient, four sessions were undertaken. The
patient was receiving treatment for stress and some dietary
problems. The first session produced a profound improvement
which was maintained through the second session but by the
fourth session the improvement had been lost.
CN23 This control patient undertook two sessions but this proved
to be of considerable help in relieving stress.
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YOGA
Conducted by Mr John Clark. Nine members took part, six of whom were
men. Although members had low expectations of yoga the course was
popular and if larger accommodation had been available, more members
would have taken part. This popularity may have been due to a wider
understanding of this therapy.
CN18 Was the only long term patient who undertook Yoga with no
other therapy. He enjoyed the eight sessions and whilst no
improvement in his PD symptoms occurred, the course of
treatment led to an improvement in his general health and
sense of wellbeing. He intends to continue the therapy.
CN12 Undertook nine sessions and after the third, started a course
of reflexology. Enthusiasm caused some problems with
stiffness and an aching neck and limbs which was helped by
the reflexology.
CN21 This PD patient found the exercise too strenuous and withdrew
after 3 sessions.
CN19 The carer of CN21, also withdrew after 3 sessions
CN10 In a similar way to CN12, a combination of eight sessions of
Yoga and seven sessions of Reflexology, enabled this patient,
despite severe PD problems, to obtain improvement in
mobility and speech.
CN8 See reflexology, this patient has been diagnosed a PD sufferer for
three years and in good general health. A combination of 9 Yoga
sessions and 10 reflexology provided this patient with balanced
treatment as with CN10 and CN12.
CN14 THis PD sufferer found the seven Yoga sessions very
difficult but considering his poor mobility and involuntary
movement his tenacity in undertaking this treatment is an
example of what can be achieved.
CN20 A non PD sufferer, this subject was forced to retire by a pre-
existing neck problem.
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SUMMARY
A distinctive feature of Parkinsons Disease is the different ways
sufferers respond both to the disease and the treatments. Age, natural
health, gender, length of time diagnosed, environment and care all play
a part in influencing the Parkinson's Disease patient's lifestyle.
Given so many variables and the limitations imposed by using a
'layman's approach', the project has been (with one or two exceptions)
a rewarding experience.
There is not sufficient evidence to warrant the additional cost of a
medically qualified opinion of each patient at this stage. Sufficient
experience has been gained to make further trials worthwhile should
further funds be available.
In conclusion, a total of 185 therapy sessions were achieved, through
the co-operation of all who took part. The sub committee would like to
thank Marianne and the staff of the Clinic who provided the fullest co-
operation and helped to create a congenial atmosphere which was an
important factor throughout the whole project.
There is a growing awareness of the potential of alternative medicine
and our first enquiry into their efficacy has proved, for some, a very
worthwhile experience. It would be wrong having invested members tom,e
and funds in our first tentative efforts at investigation to turn our
backs on the advantages that could be gained for our membership.
Robert A French.
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