Telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in Parkinson disease: A randomized controlled trial

The Efficacy of Telemental Health Interventions for Mood Disorders Pre-COVID-19: A Narrative Review

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant surge in the utilization of telemental health (TMH) services. This narrative review aimed to investigate the efficacy of TMH for serious mood disorders prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A search across databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials focusing on TMH interventions for mood disorders, encompassing major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Study and patient characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. From a pool of 2611 papers initially identified, 17 met the inclusion criteria: 14 focused on MDD, while 4 addressed BD. Among these, 6 papers directly compared TMH interventions to in-person of same treatment, revealing improved access to care and higher rates of appointment follow-up with TMH. Additionally, 6 papers comparing TMH to treatment as usual demonstrated improvements in mood outcomes. Conversely, 3 papers comparing different TMH interventions found no discernible differences in outcomes. Notably, 3 studies evaluated TMH as an adjunct to usual care, all reporting enhancements in depression outcomes. Overall, preliminary evidence suggests that prior to COVID-19, TMH interventions for serious mood disorders facilitated improved access to care and follow-up, with comparable clinical outcomes to traditional in-person interventions. The discussion addresses limitations and provides recommendations for future research in this domain.

Stemming the Tide: The Proactive Role of Allied Health Therapy in Parkinson's Disease

Motor and nonmotor symptoms occur in early Parkinson's disease (PD), or even in the prodromal stage. Many of these symptoms can be addressed by allied health therapies, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological therapies. However, referrals to these services early in the disease are low. We provide a review summarizing the efficacy of proactive allied health interventions on motor and nonmotor symptoms and daily function in prodromal and early disease. We also highlight areas for additional research and provide recommendations to improve care for individuals with early PD within each discipline. We recognize the overlapping roles of the allied health disciplines and support integrated or transdisciplinary care beginning soon after diagnosis to help stem the tide in the progression of PD symptoms and disability.

A comprehensive overview of post-stroke depression treatment options

Nearly one-third of all stroke patients develop depression at any time after a stroke, and its presence is associated with unfavorable outcomes. This narrative review aims to provide a synopsis of possible pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities for post-stroke depression (PSD). Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating the symptoms of this clinical condition. The treatment of PSD has been recently enhanced by innovative approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, virtual reality, telehealth, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, and non-conventional therapies, which might improve depression treatment in stroke survivors. Future high-quality randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Real-world experience with Deutetrabenazine management in patients with Huntington's disease using video-based telemedicine

BACKGROUND

Huntington's disease (HD) is a rare progressive neurological disorder, and telemedicine has the potential to improve the quality of care for patients with HD. Deutetrabenazine (DTBZ) can reduce chorea symptoms in HD; however, there is limited experience with this medication in Asian countries.

METHODS

Retrospective and prospective studies were employed to explore the feasibility and reliability of a video-based telemedicine system for HD patient care. Reliability was demonstrated through consistency between selected-item scores (SIS) and total motor scores (TMS) and the agreement of scores obtained from hospital and home videos. Finally, a single-centre real-world DTBZ management study was conducted based on the telemedicine system to explore the efficacy of DTBZ in patients with HD.

RESULTS

There were 77 patients included in the retrospective study, and a strong correlation was found between SIS and TMS (r = 0.911, P < 0.0001), indicating good representativeness. There were 32 patients enrolled in the prospective study. The reliability was further confirmed, indicated by correlations between SIS and TMS (r = 0.964, P < 0.0001) and consistency of SIS derived from the in-person and virtual visits (r = 0.969, P < 0.0001). There were 17 patients included in the DTBZ study with a mean 1.41 (95% confidence interval, 0.37-2.46) improvement in chorea score and reported treatment success.

CONCLUSIONS

A video-based telemedicine system is a feasible and reliable option for HD patient care. It may also be used for drug management as a supplementary tool for clinical visits.

Non-pharmacological therapies for treating non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

The non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) are an important part of PD. In recent years, more and more non-drug interventions have been applied to alleviate the non-motor symptoms of PD, but the relevant evidence is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy of non-drug interventions in patients with non-motor symptoms in patients with PD.

Methods

Seven databases, including Pubmed, Embease, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database (WANFANG), VIP database (VIP), and China Biomedical Literature Service System (CBM) were searched from the establishment of the database to December 2023. Non-drug interventions such as acupuncture, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exercise, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease were selected as search words, and two independent evaluators evaluated the included literature's bias risk and data extraction. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Minimum Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). RevMan 5.4.1 (Reviewer Manager Software 5.4.1). Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, United Kingdom analyzed the data and estimated the average effect and the 95% confidence interval (CI). A heterogeneity test is used to assess differences in the efficacy of different non-drug treatments.

Results

We selected 36 from 4,027 articles to participate in this meta-analysis, involving 2,158 participants. Our combined results show that: PDSS: [mean difference (MD) = -19.35, 95% CI (-30.4 to -8.28), p < 0.0006]; HAMD: [MD = -2.98, 95% CI (-4.29 to -1.67), p < 0.00001]; BDI: [MD = -2.69, 95% CI (-4.24 to 4.80), p = 0.006]; HAMA: [MD = -2.00, 95% CI (-2.83 to -1.17), p < 0.00001]; MMSE: [MD = 1.20, 95% CI (0.71 to 1.68), p < 0.00001]; CoMA: [MD = 2.10, 95% CI (-0.97 to 3.23), p = 0.0003]; PDQ-39: [MD = -4.03, 95% CI (-5.96 to -1.57), p < 0.00001].

Conclusion

The four non-drug measures used in our review showed significant improvements in sleep, depression, anxiety, cognition, constipation, and quality of life compared with the control group, and no serious adverse events were reported in the included research evidence, and we found that there were some differences among the subgroups of different intervention methods, but due to the less literature included in the subgroup, and the comparison was more indirect. So, we should interpret these results carefully.

Systematic review registration

www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023486897.

Medical, surgical, and physical treatments for Parkinson's disease

Although dopamine replacement therapy remains a core component of Parkinson's disease treatment, the onset of motor fluctuations and dyskinetic movements might require a range of medical and surgical approaches from a multidisciplinary team, and important new approaches in the delivery of dopamine replacement are becoming available. The more challenging, wide range of non-motor symptoms can also have a major impact on the quality of life of a patient with Parkinson's disease, and requires careful multidisciplinary management using evidence-based knowledge, as well as appropriately tailored strategies according to the individual patient's needs. Disease-modifying therapies are urgently needed to prevent the development of the most disabling refractory symptoms, including gait and balance difficulties, cognitive impairment and dementia, and speech and swallowing impairments. In the third paper in this Series, we present the latest evidence supporting the optimal treatment of Parkinson's disease, and describe an expert approach to many aspects of treatment choice where an evidence base is insufficient.

Intervention components in the self-management of Parkinson's: a mixed-methods synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence

INTRODUCTION

Self-management interventions consist of multiple components to support people in the management of medical, emotional, and behavioural aspects of their condition, and aim to improve quality of life, function, and other outcomes. A systematic review of self-management interventions in Parkinson's showed no conclusive evidence for effectiveness of specific self-management approaches in Parkinson's to date but identified several potentially useful components.

AIM

To identify the key required components for self-management in people with Parkinson's by synthesising evidence from a body of primary qualitative evidence and systematic reviews, and to explore which of these key components should be incorporated into trials of self-management in Parkinson's.

METHOD

A mixed-methods synthesis was conducted. We combined data from two primary qualitative studies and a systematic review of qualitative studies that focused on self-management in Parkinson's to identify key intervention components. These were then mapped onto the results of a systematic review of Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) using matrices. First, data were extracted from the qualitative studies with people with Parkinson's and healthcare professionals on the key self-management components in this population. Second, a matrix table was created to map the identified Parkinson's specific self-management components against potential effectiveness from published RCTs of self-management interventions.

RESULTS

Synthesis of qualitative data identified 15 potential self-management components. These 15 components included components needed to start self-managing (e.g., information, skill acquirement) and components needed to maintain self-managing (e.g., self-motoring, increasing motivation). From 18 RCTs, interventions varied in how many components were included (range 1-10). Trials reporting significant beneficial effects of their intervention included a higher number of components (4 or more self-management components) than trials without significant findings (1-3 self-management components).

CONCLUSION

Fifteen key self-management components were identified that should be incorporated into interventions or programs of self-management in Parkinson's. No current trial has incorporated all aspects, but a higher number of these key components appears to make trials of self-management interventions more likely to be successful.

The Importance of Digital Health Literacy in an Evolving Parkinson's Disease Care System

Digital health technologies are growing at a rapid pace and changing the healthcare landscape. Our current understanding of digital health literacy in Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited. In this review, we discuss the potential challenges of low digital health literacy in PD with particular attention to telehealth, deep brain stimulation, wearable sensors, and smartphone applications. We also highlight inequities in access to digital health technologies. Future research is needed to better understand digital health literacy among individuals with PD and to develop effective solutions. We must invest resources to evaluate, understand, and enhance digital health literacy for individuals with PD.

Habitual salt preference worsens blood pressure in hospitalized hypertensive patients with omicron infection under epidemic-related stress

BACKGROUND

We investigated the synergistic effect of stress and habitual salt preference (SP) on blood pressure (BP) in the hospitalized Omicron-infected patients.

METHODS

From 15,185 hospitalized Omicron-infected patients who reported having high BP or hypertension, we recruited 662 patients. All patients completed an electronic questionnaire on diet and stress, and were required to complete morning BP monitoring at least three times.

RESULTS

The hypertensive group (n = 309) had higher habitual SP (P = 0.015) and COVID-19 related stress (P < 0.001), and had longer hospital stays (7.4 ± 1.5 days vs. 7.2 ± 0.5 days, P = 0.019) compared with controls (n = 353). After adjusting for a wide range of covariates including Omicron epidemic-related stress, habitual SP was found to increase both systolic (4.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3-7.4] mmHg, P < 0.001) and diastolic (2.1 [95%CI, 0.6-3.6] mmHg, P = 0.006) BP in hypertensive patients, and increase diastolic BP (2.0 [95%CI, 0.2-3.7] mmHg, P = 0.026) in the control group. 31 (8.8%) patients without a history of hypertension were discovered to have elevated BP during hospitalization, and stress was shown to be different in those patients (P < 0.001). In contrast, habitual SP was more common in hypertensive patients with uncontrolled BP, compared with patients with controlled BP (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Habitual SP and psychosocial stress were associated with higher BP in Omicron-infected patients both with and without hypertension. Nonpharmaceutical intervention including dietary guidance and psychiatric therapy are crucial for BP control during the long COVID-19 period.

Clair KA, Toledo S, York MK, Todaro R, Yarab N, Wallock K. Delivering Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation Care in Parkinson's Disease: An International Consensus Statement

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder impacting everyday function and quality of life. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in improving symptoms, function, and quality of life and reducing disability, particularly given the lack of disease-modifying agents and limitations of medications and surgical therapies. However, rehabilitative care is under-recognized and under-utilized in PD and often only utilized in later disease stages, despite research and guidelines demonstrating its positive effects. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding fundamental topics related to rehabilitative services in PD.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the international Parkinson's Foundation Rehabilitation Medicine Task Force was to develop a consensus statement regarding the incorporation of rehabilitation in PD care.

METHODS

The Task Force, comprised of international multidisciplinary experts in PD and rehabilitation and people directly affected by PD, met virtually to discuss topics such as rehabilitative services, existing therapy guidelines and rehabilitation literature in PD, and gaps and needs. A systematic, interactive, and iterative process was used to develop consensus-based statements on core components of PD rehabilitation and discipline-specific interventions.

RESULTS

The expert-based consensus statement outlines key tenets of rehabilitative care including its multidisciplinary approach and discipline-specific guidance for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology/therapy, and psychology/neuropsychology across all PD stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Rehabilitative interventions should be an essential component in the comprehensive treatment of PD, from diagnosis to advanced disease. Greater education and awareness of the benefits of rehabilitative services for people with PD and their care partners, and further evidence-based and scientific study are encouraged.

A Systematic Review of Psychotherapy Approaches for Anxiety in Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVES

Anxiety is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), negatively impacting daily functioning and quality of life in PD patients and their families. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic approaches for reducing anxiety in PD and provides recommendations for clinical practise.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, 36 studies were included and risk of bias was evaluated.

RESULTS

We identified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy, and psychodrama psychotherapies. There is good evidence-base for anxiety reduction using CBT approaches, but with mixed results for mindfulness-based therapies. Other therapeutic approaches were under researched. Most randomized control trials examined anxiety as a secondary measure. There was a paucity of interventions for anxiety subtypes. Secondarily, studies revealed the consistent exclusion of PD patients with cognitive concerns, an importance of care partner involvement, and a growing interest in remote delivery of psychotherapy interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Person-centered anxiety interventions tailored for PD patients, including those with cognitive concerns, and trials exploring modalities other than CBT, warrant future investigations.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Practitioners should consider PD-specific anxiety symptoms and cognitive concerns when treating anxiety. Key distinctions between therapeutic modalities, therapy settings and delivery methods should guide treatment planning.

The efficacy of telephone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy in people with chronic illnesses and mental diseases: A meta-analysis

COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase of remote treatments, such as telephone-delivery cognitive behavioral therapy (T-CBT). To our knowledge, no meta-analyses studied the effect of T-CBT in chronic and/or mental illnesses on multiple psychological outcomes. Therefore, our study aims to evaluating the efficacy of T-CBT compared to other interventions (treatment as usual, TAU, or face-to-face CBT). Each effect size (ES) was calculated in Hedges' g and pooled together to produce a mean ES for each outcome (depression, anxiety, mental and physical QoL, worry, coping, and sleep disturbances). The meta-analysis included 33 studies with a randomized controlled trial design. A large ES was found when comparing the efficacy of T-CBT against TAU on depression (g = 0.84, p < 0.001), whereas a moderate ES was found on anxiety (g = 0.57; p < 0.001), and a small effect on mental quality of life (g = 0.33, p < 0.001), sleep disturbances (g = 0.37, p = 0.042), coping (g = 0.20, p = 0.016) and worry (g = 0.43, p = 0.001). The meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of T-CBT and CBT on depression revealed a not significant pooled ES (g = 0.06, p = 0.466). The results provided evidence that T-CBT could be to be more effective than TAU conditions in multiple psychological outcomes, and as efficient as face-to-face CBT in treating depression.

The effects of treatment via telemedicine interventions for patients with depression on depressive symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review and meta-ranalysis

Aim: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize the evidence from studies that have investigated the treatment effect via telemedicine interventions on depressive symptoms, quality of life, and work and social functioning in patients with depression.Methods: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE [1916-2021], PubMED [1950-2021], PsycINFO [1971-2021], Scopus [2004-2021], Embase [1972-2021], and CINAHL [1937-2021]) were systematically searched in March 2021. Reference lists of identified articles were hand searched. Randomized controlled trials were included if they investigated the treatment effects via telemedicine interventions in patients who had a depression diagnosis. Quality assessment was evaluated using the critical appraisal checklists developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.Results: Seventeen (17) trials (n = 2,394) met eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Eleven (11) randomized controlled trials shared common outcome measures, allowing meta-analysis. The results provided evidence that treatment via telemedicine interventions were beneficial for depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference= -0.44; 95% CI= -0.64 to -0.25; p < .001) and quality of life (standardized mean difference= 0.25, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.49, p = .04) in patients of depression. There were insufficient data for meta-analysis of work and social functioning.Conclusion: This study showed the positive effects of treatment via telemedicine interventions on depressive symptoms and quality of life in patients with depression and supported the idea for clinical practice to establish a well-organized telepsychiatry system.KEY MESSAGESTelemedicine is effective at reducing symptoms of depression.Telemedicine can improve quality of life in persons with depression.

PROTOCOL: Non-pharmacological interventions for older people with a diagnosis of depression: An evidence and gap map

This is the protocol for an evidence and gap map. The objectives are as follows: To map available randomized control trials, economic evaluations, and systematic reviews that assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for older people with a diagnosis of depression and identify any existing gaps in the evidence that can inform future research.

Synchronous Web-Based Psychotherapy for Mental Disorders From a Health Quality Perspective: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes to health care delivery, including a shift from in-person to digitally delivered psychotherapy. While these changes helped ensure timely psychotherapy provision, many concerns exist, including clinical, cultural, practical, privacy, and security issues.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review systematically mapped existing peer-reviewed research on synchronous, therapist-delivered web-based psychotherapy for individuals with a diagnosed mental illness. Data were analyzed through the lens of the Alberta Quality Matrix for Health (AQMH) to assess to what degree this literature addresses key indicators of health care quality. This analysis aided in the identification and organization of knowledge gaps with regard to web-based psychotherapies, highlighting potential disparities between previously prioritized dimensions of care and those requiring further attention.

METHODS

This review adhered to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. We included peer-reviewed primary research studies in the English language investigating synchronous, therapist-delivered remote psychotherapy delivered to adults (aged 18 years and older) with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Statistical Classification of Diseases diagnosed mental illness. All other citations were excluded. Relevant studies were identified through MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, Embase (OVID), Web of Science: Core Collection (Clarivate), Cochrane Library (Wiley), and Scopus (Elsevier) databases. Databases were searched on March 18, 2021. For every publication that was taken into consideration, the data were charted independently by 2 reviewers, and in the event of a discrepancy, the principal investigator validated the choice of either extractor. Results were thematically described according to the 6 AQMH dimensions: acceptability, accessibility, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, and safety.

RESULTS

From 13,209 publications, 48 articles were included, largely from North American studies. Most studies measured treatment effectiveness (n=48, 100%) and acceptability (n=29, 60%) health quality dimensions. Over 80% (40/48) of studies investigated either a cognitive or exposure intervention for either posttraumatic stress disorder or a mood or anxiety disorder, generally indicating comparable results to in-person therapy. Safety (n=5, 10%) was measured in fewer studies, while treatment accessibility, appropriateness, and efficiency were not explicitly measured in any study, although these dimensions were mentioned as a future direction, hypothesis, or potential outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In relation to web-based therapist-delivered psychotherapies for those with a diagnosed mental illness, important aspects of health care quality (accessibility, appropriateness, efficiency, and safety) have received little scientific examination, underscoring a need to address these gaps. There are also significant issues related to the generalizability of this literature, including the underrepresentation of many geographic regions, cultures, populations, clinical contexts, and psychotherapy modalities. Qualitative research in underrepresented populations and settings may uncover important patient and contextual factors important for the future implementation of quality web-based psychotherapy.

Telemedicine treatment of patients with mental disorders during and after the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Germany - an observational study on feasibility and patient satisfaction

INTRODUCTION

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a general lockdown was enacted across Germany in March 2020. As a consequence, patients with mental health conditions received limited or no treatment in day hospitals and outpatient settings. To ensure continuity of care, the necessary technological preparations were made to enable the implementation of telemedical care via telephone or video conferencing, and this option was then used as much as possible. The aim of this study was to investigate the satisfaction and acceptance with telemedical care in a heterogeneous patient group of psychiatric outpatients in Germany during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

METHODS

In this observational study, patients in ongoing or newly initiated outpatient psychiatric therapy as well as those who had to be discharged from the day clinic ahead of schedule received telemedical treatment via telephone. Data collection to assess the patients' and therapists' satisfaction with and acceptance of the telemedical care was adjusted to the treatment setting.

RESULTS

Of 60 recruited patients, 57 could be included in the analysis. 51.6% of the patients and 52.3% of their therapists reported that the discussion of problems and needs worked just as well over the phone as in face-to-face consultations. In the subgroup of patients who were new to therapy due to being discharged from hospital early, acceptance was higher and telemedicine was rated as equally good in 87.5% of contacts. Both patients and therapists felt that telemedicine care during lockdown was an alternative for usual therapy in the outpatient clinic and that the option of telemedicine care should continue for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

DISCUSSION

The results show a clear trend towards satisfaction with and acceptance of telemedicine care in a heterogeneous group of unselected psychiatric patients. Although the number of patients is small, the results indicate that the mostly positive results of telemedicine concepts in research projects can probably be transferred to real healthcare settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemedicine can be employed in healthcare for psychiatric patients either an alternative treatment option to maintain continuity of care or as a potential addition to regular care.

A Wellness Prescription for Parkinson's: Mid to Late-Stage Disease

The mid- to late-stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) bring increasing disability that may challenge independence and lower quality of life. Many people with PD struggle to remain hopeful and cope with an uncertain future due to the progression of the disease. Although disability in PD is due chiefly to motor impairment, nonmotor symptoms and psychosocial distress are also major contributors that are amenable to treatment. Interventions that address nonmotor symptoms and psychosocial distress can improve daily function and quality of life even as motor function worsens with disease progression. This manuscript proposes a patient-centered, proactive strategy to promote psychosocial adaptation to decrease the impact of motor, nonmotor, and psychosocial distress on quality of life and function in people with PD.

Toward objective monitoring of Parkinson's disease motor symptoms using a wearable device: wearability and performance evaluation of PDMonitor®

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a variety of motor and non-motor symptoms. As disease progresses, fluctuations in the response to levodopa treatment may develop, along with emergence of freezing of gait (FoG) and levodopa induced dyskinesia (LiD). The optimal management of the motor symptoms and their complications, depends, principally, on the consistent detection of their course, leading to improved treatment decisions. During the last few years, wearable devices have started to be used in the clinical practice for monitoring patients' PD-related motor symptoms, during their daily activities. This work describes the results of 2 multi-site clinical studies (PDNST001 and PDNST002) designed to validate the performance and the wearability of a new wearable monitoring device, the PDMonitor^®, in the detection of PD-related motor symptoms. For the studies, 65 patients with Parkinson's disease and 28 healthy individuals (controls) were recruited. Specifically, during the Phase I of the first study, participants used the monitoring device for 2-6 h in a clinic while neurologists assessed the exhibited parkinsonian symptoms every half hour using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III, as well as the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) for dyskinesia severity assessment. The goal of Phase I was data gathering. On the other hand, during the Phase II of the first study, as well as during the second study (PDNST002), day-to-day variability was evaluated, with patients in the former and with control subjects in the latter. In both cases, the device was used for a number of days, with the subjects being unsupervised and free to perform any kind of daily activities. The monitoring device produced estimations of the severity of the majority of PD-related motor symptoms and their fluctuations. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the accuracy in the detection of symptoms and the correlation between their severity and the expert evaluations were high. As a result, the studies confirmed the effectiveness of the system as a continuous telemonitoring solution, easy to be used to facilitate decision-making for the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease.

The Role of Telemedicine in the Treatment of Cognitive and Psychological Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease: An Overview

Background: This literature review evaluates the use and efficacy of telemedicine in cognitive and psychological treatment in Parkinson’s disease. Methods: Studies performed between 2016 and 2021 that fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected from PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. All articles were evaluated by title, abstract, and text. All studies that examined the cognitive and psychological/psychotherapy treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease by telemedicine were included. Results: Telehealth improved cognitive status and emotional/behavioral disorders in this population, and had positive effects on the patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. Conclusions: Our literature review supports the development and efficacy of cognitive and psychological treatment with telemedicine, but the methodology of the study must be reviewed considering its limitations so as to highlight the benefits and risks of treatment via telemedicine.

A Pilot Study of Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression in Parkinson's Disease

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by high-rates of depression with limited evidence-based treatment options to improve mood. Objective: To expand therapeutic options, we evaluated the feasibility and effect of a telehealth mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention adapted for PD (MBCT-PD) in a sample of participants with DSM-5 depressive disorders. Methods: Fifteen participants with PD and clinically-significant depression completed 9 sessions of MBCT-PD. Depression, anxiety, and quality of life were evaluated at baseline, endpoint, and 1-month follow-up. Results: Telehealth MBCT-PD was feasible and beneficial. Completion rates exceeded 85% and treatment satisfaction rates were high. Notable improvements were observed for depression, anxiety, and quality of life over the course of the trial. Conclusion: Telehealth MBCT-PD shows promise and warrants further evaluation via randomized clinical trial with more diverse participants. Such research holds the potential to expand the range of therapeutic options for depression in PD, thereby setting the stage for personalized care.

Neurobiology of depression in Parkinson's disease: Insights into epidemiology, molecular mechanisms and treatment strategies

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized mainly by motor dysfunctions due to the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. However, PD patients experience a multitude of debilitating non-motor symptoms, including depression, which may have deleteriously detrimental effects on life. Depression is multifactorial and exhibits a bimodal progression in PD, but its underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Studies demonstrating the pathophysiology of depression in PD and the specific treatment strategies for depression-like symptoms in PD patients are largely lacking, often underrated, under-recognized and, consequently, inadequately/under-treated. Nevertheless, reports suggest that the incidence of depression is approximately 20-30% of PD patients and may precede the onset of motor symptoms. Diagnosing depression in PD becomes difficult due to the clinical overlap in symptomatology between the two diseases, and the nigrostriatal dysfunction alone is insufficient to explain depressive symptoms in PD. Therefore, the current study provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of depression in PD and new insights into developing current antidepressant strategies to treat depression in PD. This review will identify and understand the molecular pathological mechanisms of depression in PD that will fundamentally help tailoring therapeutic interventions for depressive symptoms in PD.

Remote cognitive behavioral therapy for older adults with anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

In-person cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce self-reported anxiety in older adults. However, studies are limited for remote CBT. We assessed the effectiveness of remote CBT in mitigating self-reported anxiety in older adults.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis based on a literature search of PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases up to March 31, 2021, for randomized controlled clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of remote CBT versus non-CBT controls on mitigating self-reported anxiety in older adults. We calculated within-group pre-to-post-treatment standardized mean difference using Cohen's d, obtained the difference between a remote CBT group and a non-CBT control group as our effect size for cross-study comparison, and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis. Changes in scores on self-reported anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, or Penn State Worry Questionnaire - Abbreviated), and self-reported depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item Scale or Beck Depression Inventory) were primary and secondary outcomes, respectively.

RESULTS

Six eligible studies, containing 633 participants with a pooled mean age of 66.6 years, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There was a significant mitigating effect of intervention on self-reported anxiety, favoring remote CBT over non-CBT controls (between-group effect size: -0.63; 95% CI: -0.99 to -0.28). We also found a significant mitigating effect of intervention on self-reported depressive symptoms (between-group effect size: -0.74; 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.25).

DISCUSSION

Remote CBT is more effective in reducing self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms than non-CBT control in older adults.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression in Parkinson's Disease: A Feasibility Study

Individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience interpersonal stressors that contribute to depressive risk. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) emphasizes the bidirectional relationship between interpersonal stressors and mood may therefore be a suitable treatment for PD-depression. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of delivering 12 sessions of IPT to depressed PD patients and explore the need for modifications. A secondary aim was to obtain descriptive information about efficacy outcomes. The study used a pre-post design without a comparison group. Participants were 12 PD patients with a major depressive disorder. IPT was well accepted and tolerated by patients and required minimal modifications. Compliance with session attendance and completion of study questionnaires were excellent and treatment satisfaction was high. Depression scores declined from baseline to endpoint, with 7 patients meeting criteria for remission at endpoint. Findings are encouraging and a larger randomized controlled trial is currently underway to ascertain if IPT is an efficacious treatment for PD-depression.

Telehealth Transdiagnostic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression in persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), but there are significant barriers preventing PwPD from receiving care in person. Telehealth CBT circumvents many of these barriers.

Objectives

We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of telehealth transdiagnostic CBT intervention for depression in PwPD.

Methods

Twelve PwPD with Major Depressive Disorder were enrolled, half randomly assigned to the treatment-immediate condition (TI) and half to the waitlist control condition (WLC). TI and WLC participants received 12 CBT sessions and assessments before treatment, immediately after treatment, and at the 6-week follow-up.

Results

The intervention was efficacious for treating depression in PwPD, with secondary benefits to anxiety, apathy, learning, memory, and quality of life. Improvements were largely maintained at follow-up. The intervention was highly feasible and acceptable.

Conclusions

Telehealth transdiagnostic CBT was an effective intervention for PwPD with depression.

Advances in the Pharmacological and Non-pharmacological Management of Non-motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: An Update Since 2017

BACKGROUND

Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are an important and ubiquitous determinant of quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, robust evidence for their treatment is still a major unmet need.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide an updated review on advances in pharmacological, nonpharmacological, and exercise-based interventions for NMS in PD, covering the period since the publication of the MDS Task Force Recommendations.

METHODS

We performed a literature search to identify pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and exercise-based interventions for NMS in PD. As there are recent reviews on the subject, we have only included studies from the 1st of January 2017 to the 1st of December 2021 and limited our search to randomised and non-randomised (including open-label) clinical trials.

RESULTS

We discuss new strategies to manage NMS based on data that have become available since 2017, for instance, on the treatment of orthostatic hypotension with droxidopa, several dopaminergic treatment options for insomnia, and a range of non-pharmacological and exercise-based interventions for cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, pain, and insomnia and excessive sleepiness.

CONCLUSION

Recent evidence suggests that targeted non-pharmacological treatments, as well as some other NMS management options, may have a significant beneficial effect on the quality of life and need to be considered in the pathways of treatment of PD.

Management of psychiatric and cognitive complications in Parkinson's disease

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) such as affective disorders, psychosis, behavioral changes, and cognitive impairment are common in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, NPSs remain under-recognized and under-treated, often leading to adverse outcomes. Their epidemiology, presentation, risk factors, neural substrate, and management strategies are incompletely understood. While psychological and psychosocial factors may contribute, hallmark PD neuropathophysiological changes, plus the associations between exposure to dopaminergic medications and occurrence of some symptoms, suggest a neurobiological basis for many NPSs. A range of psychotropic medications, psychotherapeutic techniques, stimulation therapies, and other non-pharmacological treatments have been studied, are used clinically, and are beneficial for managing NPSs in PD. Appropriate management of NPSs is critical for comprehensive PD care, from recognizing their presentations and timing throughout the disease course, to the incorporation of different therapeutic strategies (ie, pharmacological and non-pharmacological) that utilize a multidisciplinary approach.

Evidence of Phone vs Video-Conferencing for Mental Health Treatments: A Review of the Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this paper is to provide a comparative review of using phone (audio-only) or video for mental health treatments. Our review includes evidence of phone and video's effectiveness in terms of reduced symptomology, retention, satisfaction, therapeutic alliance, and other outcomes of interest. This review also discusses how patients and providers' experiences and attitudes differ between these two modalities. Finally, we present information on different usage rates of phone and video across patient populations and mental health provider types, and different implementation strategies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Treatments through phone and video are both able to reduce symptoms related to mental health conditions and have both been found to be non-inferior to in-person care. Both phone and video are more convenient to patients. Video offers important visual information that can be important to diagnosing mental health conditions. Phone, however, is more broadly accessible and may come with fewer technological issues. In the context of mental health care, where non-verbal cues are tied to symptomology and diagnosing, and a strong relationship between patient and provider can enhance treatment, we encourage the use of video, especially for psychotherapeutic services. However, as phone is more accessible, we ultimately recommend an accommodating approach, one that flexibly makes use of both phone and video. Future studies on telehealth should focus on direct, head-to-head comparisons between phone and video and conduct more rigorous testing on whether clinical differences exist.

Depression in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: Current Understanding of its Neurobiology and Implications for Treatment

Depression is one of the most frequent and burdensome non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), across all stages. Even when its severity is mild, PD depression has a great impact on quality of life for these patients and their caregivers. Accordingly, accurate diagnosis, supported by validated scales, identification of risk factors, and recognition of motor and non-motor symptoms comorbid to depression are critical to understanding the neurobiology of depression, which in turn determines the effectiveness of dopaminergic drugs, antidepressants and non-pharmacological interventions. Recent advances using in vivo functional and structural imaging demonstrate that PD depression is underpinned by dysfunction of limbic networks and monoaminergic systems, depending on the stage of PD and its associated symptoms, including apathy, anxiety, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), cognitive impairment and dementia. In particular, the evolution of serotonergic, noradrenergic, and dopaminergic dysfunction and abnormalities of limbic circuits across time, involving the anterior cingulate and orbitofrontal cortices, amygdala, thalamus and ventral striatum, help to delineate the variable expression of depression in patients with prodromal, early and advanced PD. Evidence is accumulating to support the use of dual serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (desipramine, nortriptyline, venlafaxine) in patients with PD and moderate to severe depression, while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and cognitive behavioral therapy may also be considered. In all patients, recent findings advocate that optimization of dopamine replacement therapy and evaluation of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus to improve motor symptoms represents an important first step, in addition to physical activity. Overall, this review indicates that increasing understanding of neurobiological changes help to implement a roadmap of tailored interventions for patients with PD and depression, depending on the stage and comorbid symptoms underlying PD subtypes and their prognosis.

Efficacy of paeoniflorin on models of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of rodent studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeoniflorin, a bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb, Paeonia lactiflora Pall, has been demonstrated to possess efficient antidepressant activity in previous studies.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of paeoniflorin in relieving depressive-like behaviors in animal models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched for in vivo studies on the antidepressant effects of paeoniflorin in rodents using electronic databases from their inception to April 2021. The measurements of animal behavioral tests, including the sucrose consumption, forced swimming, tail suspension, and open field tests, were regarded as the outcomes.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies involving 416 animals met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis revealed remarkable differences between the paeoniflorin and control groups. Furthermore, the paeoniflorin group showed great efficiency in improving depressive-like symptoms of animals in the sucrose consumption, forced swimming, tail suspension, and open field tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis demonstrates that paeoniflorin can significantly improve depressive-like symptoms in animals and suggests that it can be a potential therapy for patients with depression in the future.

Chinese Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease: From Molecules to Systems

Depression is one of the most common non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Depression in PD (DPD) increases the disability rate and reduces the quality of life of PD patients and increases the caregiver burden. Although previous studies have explained the relationship between depression and PD through a variety of pathological mechanisms, whether depression is a precursor or an independent risk factor for PD remains unclear. Additionally, increasing evidence shows that conventional anti-PD drug therapy is not ideal for DPD. Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) prescriptions exhibit the characteristics of multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-level treatment of DPD and may simultaneously improve the motor symptoms of PD patients through multiple mechanisms. However, the specific pharmacological mechanisms of these CHM prescriptions remain unelucidated. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of action of the active ingredients of single herbs predominantly used in CHM prescriptions for depression as well as the therapeutic effect of CHM prescriptions on DPD. This review may facilitate the design of new selective and effective treatment strategies for DPD.

Cognitive and Physical Intervention in Metals’ Dysfunction and Neurodegeneration

Metals—especially iron, copper and manganese—are important elements of brain functions and development. Metal-dysregulation homeostasis is associated with brain-structure damage to the motor, cognitive and emotional systems, and leads to neurodegenerative processes. There is more and more evidence that specialized cognitive and motor exercises can enhance brain function and attenuate neurodegeneration in mechanisms, such as improving neuroplasticity by altering the synaptic structure and function in many brain regions. Psychological and physical methods of rehabilitation are now becoming increasingly important, as pharmacological treatments for movement, cognitive and emotional symptoms are limited. The present study describes physical and cognitive rehabilitation methods of patients associated with metal-induced neurotoxicity such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and Wilson’s disease. In our review, we describe physical (e.g., virtual-reality environments, robotic-assists training) and psychological (cognitive training, cognitive stimulation, neuropsychological rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based therapies) methods, significantly improving the quality of life and independence of patients associated with storage diseases. Storage diseases are a diverse group of hereditary metabolic defects characterized by the abnormal cumulation of storage material in cells. This topic is being addressed due to the fact that rehabilitation plays a vital role in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Unfortunately so far there are no specific guidelines concerning physiotherapy in neurodegenerative disorders, especially in regards to duration of exercise, type of exercise and intensity, as well as frequency of exercise. This is in part due to the variety of symptoms of these diseases and the various levels of disease progression. This further proves the need for more research to be carried out on the role of exercise in neurodegenerative disorder treatment.

Neuropsychiatric Treatments for Parkinson's Disease: Nonpharmacological Approaches

Although diagnosed by characteristic motor features, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders are frequently accompanied by a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms that require a multidisciplinary approach for treatment. Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and cognitive symptoms strongly influence quality of life, motor symptoms, and non-motor bodily symptoms. This review summarizes our current understanding of the neuropsychiatric symptoms in movement disorders and discusses the evidence base for treatments focusing on rehabilitation and nonpharmacological approaches. A practical approach is then proposed for patient selection for specific treatments based on disease stage. The article focuses mostly on Parkinson's disease as a prototypical movement disorder with the largest evidence base but the principles discussed herein are applicable to a range of other movement disorders.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical effectiveness of self-management interventions in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative condition with significant impact on quality of life (QoL), wellbeing and function. The objective of this review is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of self-management interventions for people with Parkinson's disease, taking a broad view of self-management and considering effects on QoL, wellbeing and function.

METHODS

Systematic searches of four databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science) were conducted for studies evaluating self-management interventions for people with Parkinson's disease published up to 16th November 2020. Original quantitative studies of adults with idiopathic Parkinson's disease were included, whilst studies of atypical Parkinsonism were excluded. Full-text articles were independently assessed by two reviewers, with data extracted by one reviewer and reliability checked by a second reviewer, then synthesised through a narrative approach and, for sufficiently similar studies, a meta-analysis of effect size was conducted (using a random-effects meta-analysis with restricted maximum likelihood method pooled estimate). Interventions were subdivided into self-management components according to PRISMS Taxonomy. Risk of bias was examined with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) tool or ROBIN-I tool as appropriate.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies were included, evaluating a diverse array of interventions and encompassing a range of study designs (RCT n = 19; non-randomised CT n = five; within subject pre- and post-intervention comparisons n = 12). A total of 2884 participants were assessed in studies across ten countries, with greatest output from North America (14 studies) and UK (six studies). Risk of bias was moderate to high for the majority of studies, mostly due to lack of participant blinding, which is not often practical for interventions of this nature. Only four studies reported statistically significant improvements in QoL, wellbeing or functional outcomes for the intervention compared to controls. These interventions were group-based self-management education and training programmes, either alone, combined with multi-disciplinary rehabilitation, or combined with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy; and a self-guided community-based exercise programme. Four of the RCTs evaluated sufficiently similar interventions and outcomes for meta-analysis: these were studies of self-management education and training programmes evaluating QoL (n = 478). Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the self-management and the control groups with a standardised mean difference (Hedges g) of - 0.17 (- 0.56, 0.21) p = 0.38. By the GRADE approach, the quality of this evidence was deemed "very low" and the effect of the intervention is therefore uncertain. Components more frequently observed in effective interventions, as per PRISMS taxonomy analysis, were: information about resources; training or rehearsing psychological strategies; social support; and lifestyle advice and support. The applicability of these findings is weakened by the ambiguous and at times overlapping nature of self-management components.

CONCLUSION

Approaches and outcomes to self-management interventions in Parkinson's disease are heterogenous. There are insufficient high quality RCTs in this field to show effectiveness of self-management interventions in Parkinson's disease. Whilst it is not possible to draw conclusions on specific intervention components that convey effectiveness, there are promising findings from some studies, which could be targeted in future evaluations.

The neuropsychiatry of Parkinson's disease: advances and challenges

In people with Parkinson's disease, neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms are common throughout the disease course. These symptoms can be disabling and as clinically relevant as motor symptoms, and their presentation can be similar to, or distinct from, their counterparts in the general population. Correlates and risk factors for developing neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms include demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics. The underlying neurobiology of these presentations is complex and not well understood, with the strongest evidence for neuropathological changes associated with Parkinson's disease, mechanisms linked to dopaminergic therapy, and effects not specific to Parkinson's disease. Assessment instruments and formal diagnostic criteria exist, but there is little routine screening of these signs and symptoms in clinical practice. Mounting evidence supports a range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, but relatively few efficacious treatment options exist. Optimising the management of neuropsychiatric presentations in people with Parkinson's disease will require additional research, raised awareness, specialised training, and development of innovative models of care.

Relationship between sleep disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease: A narrative review

Aim: The objective of this narrative review was to describe the versatile links between mental status and sleep in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: We searched randomized controlled studies, observational studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and case reports written in English in PubMed during 2015 - 2021. Additionally, to ensure the completeness of the review, a second, more in-depth literature search was performed using the same electronic database with the search inquiries of increased specificity. Results: The information on pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors was extracted and formed the basis for this review. Despite how widespread sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease are, there is no systematic information about their association with neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, impulse control disorders, apathy, cognitive impairment and psychosis. In this review, we described relationships between these non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, their timeline occurrence, gap in knowledge and perspectives for further research. We suppose that early treatment of sleep disorders in patients with Parkinson's disease can reduce the incidence and extent of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Conclusion: We have demonstrated multiple, multidirectional relationships between sleep disorders and neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, some of them remain unexplored. The described knowledge can be applied to further study the possibility of influencing neuropsychiatric symptoms through the correction of sleep disorders in patients with different stages of Parkinson's disease.

Acceptability and Feasibility of a Mindfulness Intervention Delivered via Videoconferencing for People With Parkinson's

Mindfulness-based group therapy is a rapidly growing psychological approach that can potentially help people adjust to chronic illness and manage unpleasant symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that mindfulness-based interventions may benefit people with Parkinson's. The objective of the paper is to examine the appropriateness, feasibility, and potential cost-effectiveness of an online mindfulness intervention, designed to reduce anxiety and depression for people with Parkinson's. We conducted a feasibility randomized control trial and qualitative interviews. Anxiety, depression, pain, insomnia, fatigue, impact on daily activities and health-related quality of life were measured at baseline, 4, 8, and 20 weeks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at the end of the intervention. Participants were randomized to the Skype delivered mindfulness group (n = 30) or wait-list (n = 30). Participants in the mindfulness group were also given a mindfulness manual and a CD with mindfulness meditations. The intervention did not show any significant effects in the primary or secondary outcome measures. However, there was a significant increase in the quality of life measure. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was estimated to be £27,107 per Quality-Adjusted Life Year gained. Also, the qualitative study showed that mindfulness is a suitable and acceptable intervention. It appears feasible to run a trial delivering mindfulness through Skype, and people with Parkinson's found the sessions acceptable and helpful.

Strategies for Behavioral Research in Neurology: Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Applications for the Future

Purpose of Review

Behavioral therapies are proven treatments for many neurologic conditions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for conducting behavioral research. This article aims to (1) highlight the challenges of running behavioral clinical trials during the pandemic, (2) suggest approaches to maximize generalizability of pandemic-era studies, and (3) offer strategies for successful behavioral trials beyond the pandemic.

Recent Findings

Thousands of clinical trials have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, from undergoing protocol revisions to suspension altogether. Furthermore, for ongoing trials, recruitment of diverse populations has suffered, thereby exacerbating existing inequities in clinical research. Patient adherence and retention have been affected by a myriad of pandemic-era restraints, and medical, psychiatric, and other complications from the pandemic have the potential to have long-term effects on pandemic-era study results.

Summary

In the development of post-pandemic study protocols, attention should be given to designing studies that incorporate successful aspects of pre-pandemic and pandemic-era strategies to (1) broaden recruitment using new techniques, (2) improve access for diverse populations, (3) expand protocols to include virtual and in-person participation, and (4) increase patient adherence and retention.

Psychological interventions for people with Parkinson's disease in the early 2020s: Where do we stand?

PURPOSE

To explore the heterogeneity of the literature on psychological interventions for psychological difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODS

A scoping review was performed across five major databases (MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Academic Search Ultimate, and Cochrane Library) up to June 2020.

RESULTS

From an initial return of 4911 citations, 56 studies were included, of which 21 were RCTs. A relatively wide range of therapeutic models have been adopted with people with PD, from common therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, to less frequent approaches, for example, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and psychodrama. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed, and suggestions are provided for future research on intervention studies and key psychological outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT appears to be effective in treating depression and sleep disorders in people with PD, while psychoeducation programmes alone should be avoided. The use of CBT to improve anxiety, quality of life, and impulse control, as well mindfulness-based interventions, should be undertaken with some caution because of insufficient research and inconsistent results. As we enter the new decade, more high-quality evidence is required for psychological interventions in people with PD in general and to corroborate preliminary positive findings on the adoption of less frequent approaches such as ACT.

PRACTITIONER POINTS

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition associated with several psychological difficulties which be targeted by psychological interventions. Currently, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be recommended to treat depression and sleep disorders in people with Parkinson's, while psychoeducation alone should be avoided. Caution is advised regarding the use of CBT and mindfulness-based interventions to improve anxiety, quality of life, and impulse control. Further evidence is required for less common approaches, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodrama, and EMDR.

A New Era: The Growth of Video-Based Visits for Remote Management of Persons with Parkinson's Disease

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the abrupt and rapid expansion of an alternative care model that embraces the use of video-based visits in the care of persons with Parkinson's disease. Video-based visits not only eliminate the risk of infection but also reduce geography- and disability-related barriers to accessing specialist care. Research has established that they are feasible, acceptable to persons with Parkinson's disease and patient-centered. In the Unites States, the relaxation of licensure requirements, adoption of reimbursement parity and investment in telemedicine infrastructure has enabled the rapid growth of video-based visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we must turn our attention to ensuring that progress made in expanding access to video-based care is not lost and expanded worldwide. More work is needed to identify the optimal video-based care model, establish best practices, and ensure equitable access to care.

Digital Therapeutics in Parkinson's Disease: Practical Applications and Future Potential

Digital therapeutics, treatments delivered remotely and enabled by modern technology, facilitate the provision of personalized, evidence-based, interdisciplinary interventions to manage the complexities associated with Parkinson’s disease. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for digital therapeutics has arguably never been greater. However, despite new advances in technology and a heightened interest due to the pandemic, digital therapeutics remain underdeveloped and underutilized. In this paper, we briefly review practical applications and emerging advances in digital therapeutic platforms that target motor and non-motor signs and healthy lifestyle behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthful diet and optimal sleep hygiene habits. Future applications which could transform personalized self-management and patient care are presented. Opportunities, drawbacks and barriers to access are discussed.

Depression and Anxiety Management in Parkinson Disease

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are common but underrecognized and undertreated nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) due to their diagnostic criteria overlapping with other PD symptoms, limited randomized controlled studies in this specific population, and the need for multidisciplinary expertise. The purpose of this article is to offer evidence-based solutions for managing comorbid depression and anxiety in patients with PD through a case study analysis. CASE STUDY: A case study is used to illustrate the somatic manifestations of anxiety in PD that leads to diagnostic challenge and multidisciplinary management. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS: The appropriate use of screening tools, pharmacological and nonpharmacological management, and education are important interventions to consider when treating depression and anxiety in PD. CONCLUSION: Effective management requires accurate assessments, individualized treatment modalities, and patient education. Nurses who are knowledgeable about the effects and management of mood disorders in PD can play an integral role in the multidisciplinary team approach for assessment, patient and caregiver education, and treatment plan implementation.

The state of telemedicine for persons with Parkinson's disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The COVID-pandemic has facilitated the implementation of telemedicine in both clinical practice and research. We highlight recent developments in three promising areas of telemedicine: teleconsultation, telemonitoring, and teletreatment. We illustrate this using Parkinson's disease as a model for other chronic neurological disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Teleconsultations can reliably administer parts of the neurological examination remotely, but are typically not useful for establishing a reliable diagnosis. For follow-ups, teleconsultations can provide enhanced comfort and convenience to patients, and provide opportunities for blended and proactive care models. Barriers include technological challenges, limited clinician confidence, and a suboptimal clinician-patient relationship. Telemonitoring using wearable sensors and smartphone-based apps can support clinical decision-making, but we lack large-scale randomized controlled trials to prove effectiveness on clinical outcomes. Increasingly many trials are now incorporating telemonitoring as an exploratory outcome, but more work remains needed to demonstrate its clinical meaningfulness. Finding a balance between benefits and burdens for individual patients remains vital. Recent work emphasised the promise of various teletreatment solutions, such as remotely adjustable deep brain stimulation parameters, virtual reality enhanced exercise programs, and telephone-based cognitive behavioural therapy. Personal contact remains essential to ascertain adherence to teletreatment.

SUMMARY

The availability of different telemedicine tools for remote consultation, monitoring, and treatment is increasing. Future research should establish whether telemedicine improves outcomes in routine clinical care, and further underpin its merits both as intervention and outcome in research settings.

The Growing Role of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur frequently in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Pharmacological treatment of the psychiatric symptoms has been found to be inadequate. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence based form of psychotherapy that is effective in treating a number of psychiatric disorders. In this article we examine the evidence of CBT in treating common psychiatric symptoms seen in PD patients, namely depression, anxiety, insomnia and impulse control behaviors. Most of the studies adapted CBT to address PD related concerns. Caregivers were frequently part of the CBT programs. Among the studies reviewed, randomized controlled trials showed significant effects in treating depression with CBT in PD patients. Studies have also provided preliminary data for effects of CBT on anxiety, impulse-control behaviors and insomnia. There is a need for more well designed studies with sufficient power for CBT to be established as a useful non-pharmacological treatment for psychiatric symptoms in PD.

Optimal Treatment of Depression and Anxiety in Parkinson's Disease

Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent and have major adverse effects on function and quality of life in Parkinson's disease (PD). Optimal management requires that motor symptoms and psychiatric symptoms be simultaneously addressed. While there is fairly robust evidence for the treatment of motor symptoms, there are no completed randomized controlled trials to guide pharmacological treatment of anxiety in PD and no nonpharmacologic interventions have proven efficacious. Several high-quality trials for depression in PD suggest a number of antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy may help, but there is no data on rates of recurrence, comparative efficacy, or augmentation strategies. In order to address the gaps in knowledge, the authors provide a summary of the current evidence for treating depression and anxiety in PD and offer an algorithm that extends beyond the current literature based on clinical experience working in a multidisciplinary specialty center.

The effects of Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on patients with major depressive disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Stress plays an important role in major depressive disorder (MDD). Thus, a variety of stress management programs have been developed for people with this diagnosis. This is a pilot randomized clinical trial which implemented a holistic stress management program, Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI) in adults with MDD, aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of PSAI compared to standard care for reduction of depressive symptoms (primary aim), improving mental health and quality of life (secondary aims). A total of 69 participants were randomized to an intervention group (N = 34), who received the usual care provided for patients with major depression and attended the PSAI program, and a control group (N = 35), who received the usual care only. Measurements were taken in both groups before and after the intervention and included: 1. Self-report questionnaires for measuring depressive symptoms, healthy lifestyle, perceived stress, anxiety, positive and negative affect and sleep quality, 2 Cognitive function assessment tools, 3. Hair and salivary cortisol. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms, negative affect, perceived stress, sleep quality and significantly greater increase in visual memory and healthy lifestyle compared to the control group. In addition, the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in first morning salivary cortisol, indicating a reduction in diurnal stress levels, while no significant change of salivary cortisol was observed in the control group. Finally, none of the study's groups demonstrated a significant change in hair cortisol concentration. In conclusion, PSAI can be applied to adults suffering from MDD with significant benefits for their mental health and quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04536714.

Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Parkinson Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety and depression are major psychiatric nonmotor symptoms (NMSs) of Parkinson disease (PD). Although several studies have investigated the effects of psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for alleviating anxiety and depression in patients with PD, the findings have been inconclusive because of the small sample size and the lack of a unified protocol for such treatments. Thus, the present meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the effect of psychotherapy on PD-related anxiety and depression.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Relevant RCTs were extracted from PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Library databases. This study was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD 42020165052.

MEASURES

The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in the anxiety score and depressive symptoms, respectively.

RESULTS

Fourteen RCTs including 507 patients with PD were analyzed. The interventions were classified as CBT and non-CBT. CBT significantly reduced anxiety at the end of the study (standardized mean difference = -0.85, 95% confidence interval = -1.12 to -0.58, P < .001, I² = 0%), whereas non-CBT did not. Greater heterogeneity in the effects of non-CBT treatment was observed. CBT was significantly beneficial for depression (standardized mean difference = -0.83, 95% confidence interval = -1.26 to -0.40, P < .001, I² = 55%). Despite the greater heterogeneity in the effects, non-CBT interventions were also effective in alleviating depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

CBT is effective for the management of anxiety and depression in patients with PD. Routine treatment for patients with this condition is strongly recommended.

A Self-Reported Clinical Tool Predicts Falls in People with Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND

A 3-step clinical prediction tool including falling in the previous year, freezing of gait in the past month and self-selected gait speed <1.1 m/s has shown high accuracy in predicting falls in people with Parkinson's disease (PD). The accuracy of this tool when including only self-report measures is yet to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

To validate the 3-step prediction tool using only self-report measures (3-step self-reported prediction tool), and to externally validate the 3-step clinical prediction tool.

METHODS

The clinical tool was used with 137 individuals with PD. Participants also answered a question about self-reported gait speed, enabling scoring of the self-reported tool, and were followed-up for 6 months. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was calculated to evaluate test-retest reliability of the 3-step self-reported prediction tool. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the performance of both tools and their discriminative ability was determined using the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Forty-two participants (31%) reported ≥1 fall during follow-up. The 3-step self-reported tool had an ICC2,1 of 0.991 (95% CI 0.971-0.997; P < 0.001) and AUC = 0.68; 95% CI 0.59-0.77, while the 3-step clinical tool had an AUC = 0.69; 95% CI 0.60-0.78.

CONCLUSIONS

The 3-step self-reported prediction tool showed excellent test-retest reliability and was validated with acceptable accuracy in predicting falls in the next 6 months. The 3-step clinical prediction tool was externally validated with similar accuracy. The 3-step self-reported prediction tool may be useful to identify people with PD at risk of falls in e/tele-health settings.