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Assessing self-perception of motor symptoms in Parkinson's patients with deep brain stimulation

Description

Self-awareness is an essential part of the whole 'self' and is important for an objective assessment of oneself, one's abilities and limitations. Impaired self-awareness of the motor symptoms that can occur in Parkinson's disease (PD) can have consequences in a variety of situations. Overestimating one's abilities or underestimating impairments leads to more falls and an overall increased risk of injury. In addition, a discrepancy between self-perception and external perception has a high potential for conflict when dealing with relatives, etc. The limitations are therefore a burden for both the patient and the immediate environment.
A misperception of the frequency and intensity of disease-specific symptoms influences the prescription of therapeutic measures and self-medication. This can lead to reduced adherence and overall more difficult patient management. This, in turn, can negatively affect the course of the disease and lead to earlier hospitalisation.
In Parkinson's disease, the most common indication for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an inadequate response to medication or the occurrence of complications such as dyskinesia and fluctuations. This often leads to a more complicated course of the disease. However, the phenomenon of reduced self-awareness has not been specifically studied in these patients. The aim of this project is to investigate whether these patients also have impaired self-awareness.
Recognising the presence of pathological self-awareness in PD patients opens up the possibility of providing appropriate counselling to help patients recognise and cope with the resulting limitations. This is an important part of comprehensive care for people with PD, with the aim of improving quality of life at all levels.

Contact

Dr. Marina Ruppert-Junck
Mrs. Laura Beccaria
Mrs. Eleni Christodoulidou, Mrs. Bente Nagel
Telefone: 06421/58 - 65299
Telefax: 06421/58 - 67055
marina.ruppert@*