A research study into Parkinson’s disease led by a doctor at the Royal United Hospital in Bath has been recognised with a top award.
Dr Emily Henderson with the research team | Photo © Nick Cole
Dr Emily Henderson, and the team behind the CHIEF-PD study, which is delivered by the Ageing and Movement Research Group at the University of Bristol, won Lead Network Study of the Year at the Clinical Research Network West of England Awards.
The CHIEF-PD study is one of the UK’s largest-ever drug trials involving Parkinson’s disease and specifically targets the prevention of falls.
The research trial is examining whether drugs normally used to treat people with memory problems can be used to reduce the number of falls that people with Parkinson’s experience.
The study has enrolled 600 participants across 39 centres in the UK.
Despite the major challenges to clinical research posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, CHIEF-PD reached its recruitment target and managed to enrol a significant number of people with Parkinson’s, many of whom are frail and have multiple long-term conditions.
This is important to ensure that the findings from the trial are relevant to people living with Parkinson’s now.
They achieved this by trialling novel approaches to research delivery, such as drugs being delivered to participants rather than them having to collect medication.
The findings from the trial will enable medical specialists to make decisions in conjunction with people with Parkinson’s, to ensure they are provided with the best treatments to improve their experience and quality of life.
Dr Henderson said: “To receive such a prestigious award really is a fantastic achievement and is recognition of the hard work and dedication of all the team.
“It is important to recognise the contribution of my RUH colleagues Ruth Hamlin and Veronica Lyell, whose support in recruiting over 80 people with Parkinson’s to the trial has been key to the success of the study nationally.
“We anticipate that the findings of this trial will have an important impact on the lives of people with Parkinson’s.”
