A characteristic of a washout period following the delivery of therapy to
a patient according to a therapy program may be determined based on a
physiological parameter of the patient. A washout period includes the
period of time during which a carryover effect from the therapy delivery
dissipates. Monitoring a washout period may be useful for timing the
delivery of therapy according to different therapy programs during a
therapy evaluation period. For example, at least one physiological signal
of the patient may be monitored to automatically determine when a washout
period has ended, e.g., when stimulation and carryover effects of therapy
delivery according to a first therapy program have substantially
dissipated, in order to determine when therapy delivery according to a
second therapy program can be initiated.