Parkinson's Clinical Trial Companion Navigating Clinical Trials | Page 51

Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) is a rating scale that includes clinical examinations of motor symptoms, as well as questionnaires about daily activities, non-motor symptoms and medication complications. Parts of or the entire scale often are used to evaluate response to interventions in Parkinson’s clinical trials. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) An agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA ensures that human drugs, biological products, medical devices, the food supply, cosmetics and other products are safe and efficacious for consumers. Virtual study Studies conducted online or through other digital modalities (e.g., smartphone, telephone, etc.). Virtual studies complement traditional research by allowing participants who might otherwise not be able to participate in traditional clinical trials (e.g., those with transportation or mobility issues) the opportunity to engage in research. These studies also are valuable in providing data outside of the “snapshot” of a face- to-face study visit. Wearable A device that can be worn (e.g., watch, fitness tracker) to capture health-related information, such as movement, sleep or heart rate. Wearable data complements t