Treatment of depression and anxiety iin Parkinson's Disease: a pilot study using group cogntive behavioural therapy

Abstract

Depression and anxiety affect up to 50% of people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) (Marsh, 2000; Murray, 1996), however, few studies have examined the effectiveness of psychological treatment. This study examined the effectiveness of group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in treating depression and anxiety in PD. Four participants, aged between 56 and 81 years, who had been diagnosed with PD and suffering from depression and/or anxiety were included in the study. The results suggested that CBT was effective in treating depression and anxiety in PD. Furthermore, the results supported that the gains were maintained at 1-month follow-up.