Operationalizing goal setting as an outcome measure in trials involving patients with frailty, multimorbidity or...

In the absence of disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease, much research focuses on improving quality of life, health and wellbeing. It is important to evaluate potential treatments and innovative care models in a robust and standardised way. Disease-specific outcomes have limitations in older people, those with cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, disability or short life expectancy. We aimed to select, and adapt as needed, a primary outcome to evaluate a multicomponent intervention for people with parkinsonism.

The multicomponent Proactive and Integrated Management and Empowerment (PRIME) model of care is being evaluated in the UK within a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We needed a meaningful outcome measure which could capture effects across multiple symptoms and domains; be suitable across the spectrum of disease stage/phenotype, including for participants with multimorbidity and/or cognitive impairment.

We have chosen the Bangor Goal-setting Interview and adapted it for use within the PRIME-UK RCT. This includes 4 steps: participants 1) identify an area to work on; 2) describe a specific goal; 3) rate current attainment, readiness to change and goal importance; and 4) attainment is followed up 3-monthly. Change in ratings across three to five individualised goals on a standardised scale can be compared between trial arms.

We demonstrate how a goal-orientated outcome can be operationalized within a complex intervention trial for parkinsonism. Parkinsonism is an exemplar multisystem, heterogeneous condition, predominantly affecting older people. There is scope to use goal-orientated outcome measures more widely in trials involving patients living with frailty, multimorbidity and/or clinical complexity.