Continuous under-skin apomorphine for people with advanced Parkinson's at the end of life

Interest of Continuous Subcutaneous Apomorphine in Parkinsonian Patients at the End of Life

Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans · NCT07257861

This project will try continuous under‑skin apomorphine pumps to prevent dopaminergic withdrawal and ease symptoms for people with advanced Parkinson's who can no longer take oral medications near the end of life.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans (other)
Locations1 site (Crest)
Trial IDNCT07257861 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will follow adults with advanced Parkinson's who have an indication for an apomorphine pump and have lost oral intake, collecting questionnaire data from patients or trusted proxies. Patients receiving home palliative care who are started on continuous subcutaneous apomorphine will be described and outcomes such as dopaminergic withdrawal syndrome, symptom control, comfort, and place of death will be recorded. The protocol excludes those already using an apomorphine pump, people who oppose pump introduction, and legally protected or otherwise ineligible persons. Collected data will be used to characterize real‑world use of apomorphine pumps in end‑of‑life Parkinson's care and to inform best practices for symptom management.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with advanced Parkinson's disease (Hoehn & Yahr OFF = 5) who have an indication for an apomorphine pump, have lost oral intake, are under palliative home care, and can consent or have a trusted proxy.

Not a fit: People already using an apomorphine pump, those who refuse pump treatment, or those who can still take oral antiparkinsonian medications are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce severe dopaminergic withdrawal, improve comfort in the final days, and help more patients remain at home for end‑of‑life care.

How similar studies have performed: Retrospective work from Rennes and case series suggest continuous apomorphine can prevent withdrawal syndromes and improve comfort, but prospective or randomized evidence in end‑of‑life Parkinson's patients is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Person (or trusted person/relative if patient is unable) who has agreed to participate in the study
2. Patient of legal age
3. Advanced Parkinson's disease with apomorphine pump indication
4. Use of HH for palliative reasons
5. Loss of orality (discontinuation of oral treatments)
6. Hoehn \&Yahr score in OFF = 5 (bilateral and axial symptoms in the absence of levodopa)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Apomorphine pump already in use
2. Opposition to the introduction of an apomorphine pump
3. Protected person (under guardianship or curatorship)
4. Person under court protection
5. Persons deprived of liberty
6. Persons not affiliated to a social security scheme
7. Pregnant or breast-feeding woman

Where this trial is running

Crest

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Parkinson Disease, Apomorphine, Parkinson, End of life

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.