Practices, Resources and Challenges in Parkinson's Disease Management in Asia: Movement Disorders in Asia Study Group Report

Authors

• Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Warongporn Phuenpathom, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
• Priya Jagota, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
• Roongroj Bhidayasiri, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
• Pramod Kumar Pal, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences
• Chin Hsien Lin, National Taiwan University Hospital
• Prashanth Lingappa Kukkle, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Clinic
• Taku Hatano, Juntendo University School of Medicine
• Shen Yang Lim, Universiti Malaya
• Zhanybek Myrzayev, International Research Institute of Postgraduate Education
• Hui Fang Shang, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital of Sichuan University
• Jed Noel Ong, Makati Medical Center
• Raymond L. Rosales, University of Santo Tomas, Manila
• Jinyoung Youn, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan university
• Zakiyah Aldaajani, King Fahd Military Medical Complex
• Shivam Om Mittal, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
• Azmawati Mohammed Nawi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
• Yoshikazu Ugawa, Fukushima Medical University

Document Type

Review

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) is increasing markedly in Asia, highlighting the urgent need to understand the current practices and challenges in delivering comprehensive PD care in this region. Objectives: We aimed to determine the resources and facilities for comprehensive management of PD in Asia focusing on regions (South East Asia, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, East Asia, and Central Asia) and income levels (high-income countries-HIC, upper middle-income countries-UMIC, lower middle-income countries-LMIC). Method: A survey-based questionnaire was deployed to the MDS affiliate societies or key neurologists in 32 countries in Asia. Results: Thirty countries/territories participated in the survey. HICs have better availability of and accessibility to most health care professionals. Central Asia has the lowest availability of and accessibility to health care professionals. PD nurses are least available (33.3%) and least easily accessible (6.7%). Levodopa and anticholinergics are the most available (100%), accessible (100%) and affordable (100%) antiparkinsonian medications. Device-aid therapies are more available and accessible in East Asian countries/territories, compared to other regions. Accessibility to allied health professionals is poor (43%). Genetic testing is available in 18 (60%) countries/territories, mostly in HIC (P = 0.031). Community engagement and public health awareness campaigns are available in 21 (70%) countries/territories. Brain bank is available in seven (24.1%) countries/territories, mostly in HIC. Telemedicine is utilized in 21 (70%) countries/territories. Conclusion: This is the first survey-based study to highlight regional and income-based disparities on infrastructures required for comprehensive PD care in Asia. Regional collaborations between HIC and MIC may address some of these disparities.

Publication Title

Movement Disorders Clinical Practice

DOI

10.1002/mdc3.70447

Recommended Citation

Mohamed Ibrahim, Norlinah; Phuenpathom, Warongporn; Jagota, Priya; Bhidayasiri, Roongroj; Pal, Pramod Kumar; Lin, Chin Hsien; Kukkle, Prashanth Lingappa; Hatano, Taku; Lim, Shen Yang; Myrzayev, Zhanybek; Shang, Hui Fang; Ong, Jed Noel; Rosales, Raymond L.; Youn, Jinyoung; Aldaajani, Zakiyah; Mittal, Shivam Om; Nawi, Azmawati Mohammed; and Ugawa, Yoshikazu, "Practices, Resources and Challenges in Parkinson's Disease Management in Asia: Movement Disorders in Asia Study Group Report" (2026). Research Publications (2026 to 2030). 231.
https://knova.um.edu.my/research_publications_2026_2030/231

Volume

13

Issue

2

First Page

379