taVNS in Mild to Moderate Parkinson's Disease

The MDS-UPDRS is a rating scale used in research and clinic to rate the severity of Parkinson's Disease. A low score indicates mild disease and a high score more advanced disease. The possible range for MDS-UPDRS Part III is 0-132. Higher scores reflect greater motor disturbance. A decline in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. This outcome observed Part III of UPDRS motor examination.

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The MDS-UPDRS has four parts: Part I (non-motor experiences of daily living), Part II (motor experiences of daily living), Part III (motor examination) and Part IV (motor complications). Part I has two components: IA concerns a number of behaviors that are assessed by the investigator with all pertinent information from patients and caregivers, and IB is completed by the patient with or without the aid of the caregiver, but independently of the investigator. These sections can, however, be reviewed by the rater to ensure that all questions are answered clea

Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) letter fluency is an investigator administered test that assesses verbal fluency. Higher scores indicate more correct responses. A positive value of change means an improvement in fluency. A decrease in score represents decrease in fluency. The minimum score is 0 and there is no maximum score. The raw score is total from letters F, A, and S.

DKEFS category fluency is an investigator administered test checking into ability to switch between categories presented. There is no upper limit on the D-KEFS measures. There is no lower limit on the D-KEPS measure. Higher scores reflect better verbal fluency. An increase in score from pre-post would indicate improvement. Decrease in value represents decrease in fluency. Raw score is total of Animals + Boys Names.

Digit span forward is an investigator administered test looking at attention. The possible range for Digit Span Forward is 0-16, same for Digit Span Backward. Higher scores reflect better focused attention and working memory. An increase in score from pre-post would indicate improvement.