Presentation slides: MDOP 2019

Ms Miriam Parry Miriam Parry is a Senior Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist (PDNS) at The Parkinson’s Foundation International Centre of Excellence, King’s College Hospital, London. She trained at Guy’s Hospital, London and qualified in 1992. Ms Parry is a member of the Movement Disorders research team at King’s College London. Her research interests are the non-motor aspects of movement disorders, specifically in PD. She is a committee member of the Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist Association and an associate member of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Ms Parry participates in teaching programmes both nationally and internationally including the King’s Apomorphine and Duodopa Masterclasses, Parkinson’s UK as well on the MDS- Infusion Therapies for Advanced Parkinson’s Disease. Ms Parry is a member of the CRISP – Community for Research Involvement and Support for people with Parkinson’s – held at King’s College Hospital.

Speaker’s abstract

Sexual dysfunction is common in people with Parkinson’s (PwP), with up to 57% of patients reporting an altered interest in sex and 66% reporting physical problems with sexual intercourse. Not surprisingly, in Parkinson’s disturbed sexual function is commonly associated with motor disturbances, emotional and cognitive difficulties, sleep disorders and side effects of commonly prescribed medication. The interlinking relationship between sexual dysfunction and other motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s can create further emotional, physical and cognitive difficulties which may be expressed in changes to the intimate interactions between PwP and their partners. In this presentation the prevalence of sexual and relationship issues in PwP will be examined, and how this reciprocally affects other Parkinson’s symptoms. In addition, we will address how to identify sexual and relationship issues in clinical settings, and how recognition of sexual problems can be used to optimise treatment and manage sexual dysfunction in PwP.

Dr Dorit Kunkel (PhD) is a Senior Research Fellow in Health Sciences at the University of Southampton. Dorit is a physiotherapist by background with a specialty in neurological rehabilitation. She completed her PhD in 2002 and has 17 years’ experience in managing mixed methods research studies and trials. She specialised in fall prediction and prevention. In recent years her work has mainly focused on exploring novel interventions to promote independence and stability in people with Parkinson’s and stroke. The overarching aim of her research is to improve activity levels and quality of life in people with neurological conditions.

Speaker’s abstract
By the end of the session attendees should

• Have a better understanding of music and dance as a useful adjunct to rehabilitation in people with Parkinson’s
• Describe the physical and psychosocial benefits
• Discuss the clinical implications and considerations for rehabilitation and self-management

Natasha is a PhD student at Newcastle University funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. She is currently exploring the experiences of people living with Parkinson’s disease in Kenya and has recently returned from one year of fieldwork in Kenya. Her research focusses on Parkinson’s disease within the context of global health and ageing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Speaker’s abstract

• Clinical pathways in Kenya are far from straightforward
• The number of practicing neurologists is very low, clinics are overwhelmed and there are no practicing PD nurse specialists
• Support services and accessible information are limited, and patients are often not told their diagnosis
• Need for more structured neurology services to manage PD including integrated care

Dr Paul Reading completed his neurological training in Edinburgh and Newcastle before moving to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, to work in a multi-disciplinary sleep unit. He has been running regular Neurology Sleep Clinics for over 18 years alongside his general neurology workload. His particular interests are narcolepsy, abnormal sleep in neurodegenerative disease, and parasomnias