Measuring quality of life in Parkinson's disease: selection of-an-appropriate health-related quality of life instrument

Abstract

There is growing awareness of the need to measure quality of life (QOL) in people with Parkinson's disease during routine physiotherapy assessment. This paper highlights why it is important for clinicians to focus particularly on health-related QOL (HRQOL) when assessing people with this disabling and progressive neurological condition, and provides a guide for selection of the most appropriate instruments for measuring HRQOL. Using measures of health utility, health status and wellbeing, physiotherapists can better understand the social, physical and emotional consequences of Parkinson's disease.