Date of Award
2016
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not “Is safinamide effective as an add-on medication in treating Parkinson's disease motor symptoms?”
Study Design: Review of three randomized, controlled studies published in peer reviewed journals in English between 2012-2014.
Data Sources: The three randomized, double-blind clinical trials were found via PubMed and EBSCOhost Web. Articles were selected based on relevance, the date of publication, and whether or not they included patient outcomes.
Outcomes Measured: Among other measures, each trial measured improvement in motor symptoms using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III (motor) scores, a clinician-scored motor evaluation.
Results: UPDRS III scores significantly improved in 100 mg/day safinamide experimental group compared to the placebo control group.
Conclusions: All three of the randomized clinical trials included in this review indicated that safinamide 100 mg/day is an effective add-on medication to dopaminergic drugs in improving motor function and reducing motor fluctuations.
Recommended Citation
Kilonsky, Erin E., "Is Safinamide Effective as an Add-on Medication in Treating Parkinson's Disease Motor Symptoms?" (2016). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 279.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/279