OFF episodes impact patients both mentally and physically
OFF episodes are a component of disease symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD, including OFF episodes, may affect1*:
- Mobility
- Activities of daily living
- Emotional well-being
- Cognition
- Ability to communicate
- Bodily discomfort
Patients also report that OFF episodes cause them to feel stigmatized.1

*Based on Parkinson’s Disease Questionare-39 (PDQ-39) responses among 143 patients (mean age, 67.1 years) with a mean UPDRS Part III score of 11.5 while ON and a mean duration of levodopa therapy of 7.7 years.
OFF episodes: effects on daily life
64% of patients reported experiencing 2 or more hours of daily OFF time.2†
Number of OFF Periods/Day
- 50% of patients reported each OFF period lasted >45 minutes2
- 7% of patients reported each OFF period lasted ≥2 hours2
- More than 92% of patients reported experiencing at least 1 OFF period a day2
†A Michael J Fox Foundation patient survey (N=~3000). Patients’ treatment regimens were unknown. Survey did not specify the patients’ levels of PD severity.
Patients’ self-ratings of disability may be higher during OFF episodes2‡
Rating while ON
Rating while OFF
% of Patients
Nearly 50% of respondents categorized their OFF episodes as moderate to severe, limiting their ability to engage in daily activities while OFF.2
‡A Michael J Fox Foundation patient survey (N=~3000). Patients’ treatment regimens were unknown. Patients were asked to rate their levels of disability on a scale of 1 (no disability/no impact) to 10 (high disability/high impact).
References
- Chapuis S, Ouchchane L, Metz O, Gerbaud L, Durif F. Impact of the motor complications of Parkinson’s disease on the quality of life. Mov Disord. 2005;20:224-230.
- Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Executive summary: survey of Parkinson’s patients and their off time experience.