Category: Technology
Objective: To explore the satisfaction, effectiveness, and safety of online modified Atkins diet (MAD) initiation and follow-up by comparing a group of work-from-home postmenopausal women with drug-resistant Parkinson’s disease (PD) that was managed by telemedicine using WhatsApp communication tool as the main tool and compared to a group that was treated on an outpatient basis.
Background: Telemedicine can provide an accessible, cost-effective, and high-quality healthcare services. The modified Atkins diet (MAD) is a less restrictive alternative to the ketogenic diet (KD), allowing unlimited protein, fat, calories, and fluid intake.
Method: The patient satisfaction consisted of 36 items concerning the management of AMD using telemedicine in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and were sent via WhatsApp tool. An observational study was conducted in two groups of patients with drug-resistant PD who initiated AMD and was followed up with an online versus an outpatient modality by the interdisciplinary AMD team of the hospital. Dietary compliance, ketosis, retention rate, adverse effects, number of contacts, and clinical outcome were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months on the diet. Diet efficacy was evaluated according to a reduction in freezing of gait frequency and the number of PD drugs (PDD).
Results: Overall, 130 subjects were included, of whom 88 started the AMD by telemedicine and 42 on an outpatient basis. All patients received the classic AMD diet. No statistical differences between the two groups regarding the efficacy and safety of the diet were found. The median age at AMD initiation was 44.2 years. Baseline seizure frequency was >5/day in 48 women. AMD was continued for a median duration of 12 months. Our survey showed that 96.8% of the parents were satisfied with the management of AMD through telemedicine. None of the families reported that they would recommend against treatment by telemedicine.
Conclusion: Our study supports that management of middle-aged women PD patients on AMD through telemedicine is feasible, well accepted by families, and probably as safe as conventional medicine, even during the COVID-19 pandemic
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
M. Sharma, S. Sinha. Role of Telemedicine- Versus Outpatient-Based Initiation And Management of Atkins Diet Therapy In Postmenopausal Women With Drug-Resistant Parkinson’s Disease During The COVID-19 Pandemic [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/role-of-telemedicine-versus-outpatient-based-initiation-and-management-of-atkins-diet-therapy-in-postmenopausal-women-with-drug-resistant-parkinsons-disease-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/role-of-telemedicine-versus-outpatient-based-initiation-and-management-of-atkins-diet-therapy-in-postmenopausal-women-with-drug-resistant-parkinsons-disease-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/