Mr A K Fletcher 26 Berry Drive Paignton Devon TQ3 3QW
14/08/96  

Parkinson's Disease Society   http://www.parkinsons.org.uk
22 Upper Woburn Place, London
-fax: 0171 383 5754

Dear Mr Fletcher,
Thank you for your letter about elevating the head end of the bed for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. I have discussed your theories with one of our medical experts on Parkinson's Disease who has advised me that he has used the technique of raising the head end of the bed in people with Parkinson's who suffer from low blood pressure as a treatment for their low blood pressure. However, the mechanism whereby this technique is of benefit to those with low blood pressure is well known and differs from that which you propose. The results of a trial to test efficacy of raised beds for PD might be confounded by the effect on blood pressure.
There is no substantive evidence to support a formal research project to evaluate your proposal.
I am sorry that this outcome is less encouraging than you had hoped. With best wishes Yours sincerely

Helen Pask  Research Coordinator