| Methods |
Randomised, double‐blind cross‐over design. No details of method of randomisation given.
Not clear whether intention‐to‐treat analysis.
Titration by unblinded clinician.
Outcomes assessed by blinded examiner.
Duration ‐ variable 4‐8 week titration followed by 4 weeks stable dose; up to 2 weeks wash‐out then 4‐8 week titration with second agonist and 4 week stable dose. |
| Participants |
Lisuride arm ‐ 10 patients with no drop‐outs.
Bromocriptine arm ‐ 10 patients with no drop‐outs.
Patients comparable for sex, age, disease duration, duration of levodopa and disability (Hoehn and Yahr stage) at randomisation. |
| Interventions |
Lisuride commenced at 0.05 mg daily, titrated over a maximum of 8 weeks; no maximum given.
Mean lisuride dose 1.3 mg/day (range 0.2‐2.4 mg/day).
Bromocriptine commenced at 1.25 mg daily, titrated over a maximum of 8 weeks; no maximum given.
Mean bromocriptine dose 15 mg/day (range 3.75‐30 mg/day).
No change in levodopa dose allowed. |
| Outcomes |
Columbia University Rating Scale at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 weeks.
Unique 4 point clinician's global rating scale of 'fluctuations' (0 ‐ no change; 1 ‐ minimal improvement; 2‐ moderate improvement; 3 ‐ marked improvement).
Adverse events. |
| Notes |
|
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment? |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
