Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Parkinson's Disease: A Longitudinal Study

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Parkinson's Disease: A Longitudinal Study

To investigate the efficacy of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to improve quality of life, cognition, and mood, as well as to determine the longevity of the treatment response in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Eligible study participants with PD were randomly assigned to one of two 9-week remote (online) interventions: 1) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or 2) Psychoeducational Supportive Care (PSC). Intervention groups consisted of approximately 6-9 individuals and met weekly for 2.5 hours x 8 weeks and for 4 hours ("retreat") during week 7. All participants were remotely administered a battery of neuropsychological tests to measure quality of life, cognition (e.g., executive function, attention, memory), and mood (i.e., anxiety, depression, and apathy), as well as motor symptoms, disease severity, and mindfulness engagement/practice at pre-intervention (baseline), post-intervention (9 weeks), and at 6- and 12-months (follow-up assessments).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Clinical diagnosis of PD based on UK Brain Bank Criteria
2. 40 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Secondary causes of Parkinsonism (e.g. corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, drug-induced parkinsonism)
2. Other neurological conditions (e.g. stroke)
3. Clinical diagnosis of dementia based on any previous neuropsychological testing
4. Psychosis, antipsychotic treatment or treatment for substance abuse
5. Uncorrected vision or hearing to adequately participate in the intervention
6. Prior formal training in MBSR or regular current MBSR practice
7. Inability to use a computer or technology for participation
8. Active/current suicidal ideation