To assess the motivations for and burdens of participation in a clinical trial for Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Clinical trials are essential for evaluating novel therapeutics and establishing evidence based clinical practice. Evidence from a 2020 review of 26 studies reports that perceived personal benefit and altruism are the most common reasons for participating in clinical trials. Evidence also shows that participation in clinical trials causes high physical and physiological burden in participants. These reports have not, however, included patients with neurological conditions. 

Of the 49 participants that were given the questionnaire, 29 provided responses. Among responders, 62.2% were motivated by the potential improve of PD symptoms, 57.8% desired to contribute to science, and 57.8% wanted to help others with PD. The most frequently reported burdens of the study were undergoing lumbar punctures (LP), MRI scans, and traveling to visits, cited by 34.5%, 20.7%, and 20.7% of patients, respectively. However, 24.1% of responders denied any complaints about study participation.