Involve people with Parkinson's in your research

If you're a Parkinson's researcher, we can help you involve people living with Parkinson's at every stage of your research.

We believe every Parkinson's research project should be reviewed, approved and monitored by people affected by Parkinson's.

This helps us make sure that the research is relevant and meaningful to people living with the condition.

Here's how we can help:

• Developing your grant application - discuss your research ideas with people affected by Parkinson's and get feedback on your research proposal
• Designing and managing your study - involve people with Parkinson's to shape and steer your study or develop participant information
• Analysing your research data - people with Parkinson's could provide a different perspective when analysing data such as qualitative interviews
• Recruiting participants for your study
• Disseminating your research findings - volunteers could help you communicate your research findings to the general public

Shaping and steering your study

Involving people affected by Parkinson's at every stage helps strengthen your study. And it makes your research more relevant and meaningful to people living with the condition.

Dr Nadine Geddes is a Parkinson's UK-funded researcher at King's College London who is investigating assistive technologies:

"Parkinson's UK helped us find 3 people with Parkinson's and a carer to sit on a steering group to guide our project.

"Involving people who are directly affected by the condition means our research is focused upon the things that really matter.

"But it also means our project will run more smoothly - helping us to ask the right questions, spot potential problems early and recruit participants."

Developing participant information

If you're looking to recruit volunteers to your research study, clear and simply written participant information is crucial.

We can help you hone your participant information by testing it with people affected by Parkinson's.

We also have a lot of experience of communicating complex scientific concepts to non-scientists.

A recent study on testing clinical trial patient information sheets has shown that user testing, combined with expertise in writing for patients, is the key to providing effective participant information sheets.

Recruiting participants for your study

Looking for people affected by Parkinson's to take part in your research project?

We can help you find suitable participants in your area or feature your research project on our website.

Simply complete the appropriate participant request form:

• Participant request form for non-commercial research studies (Word, 268KB)
• Participant request form for commercial research studies (Word, 276KB)

And email the completed form to us at rsn@parkinsons.org.uk

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