Table 1.

Challenges for PD research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Challenges	Possible adaptations
Research space limitations	Converting physical visits to virtual ones Virtual study monitoring Virtual consent-taking Virtual/remote prescription
Manpower shortage	Staggered work hours Split team work model Re-deployment of staff
Risk of COVID-19 exposure	Telemedicine for site visits Enforcement of protective equipment Training staff in safe handling of samples Insurance and litigation coverage
Data interpretation potentially confounded by COVID-19	Retraining clinical and research staff on differentiating between COVID-19 symptoms and PD symptoms
Potential for cyber security breach	Cyber security training VPN and Firewall implementation/internet separation
Lack of financial support	Grant extension/variation Postponement of proposal deadlines Changes in objectives/Key Performance Indicators
Lack of training of next-generation researchers	Advocacy of students Virtual lessons Redirect activities to literature-based and statistical-based research Trainee participation in virtual study visits
Justification of study resumption	Case-by-case judgment based on clinical priority and COVID-19 disease burden in the area