While Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often recognized for its motor symptoms, nonmotor challenges like anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. A recent study published in BMC Neurology highlights the potential of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to improve mental health and cognitive function in individuals with PD.
At the 4th Annual ATMRD Congress, experts, including Dr. Marcia Pasqualini and Renia Kodabak, emphasized CBT’s role as an evidence-based intervention for neuropsychiatric symptoms. They also discussed how social support can reduce isolation and enhance emotional well-being.
In a follow-up interview, Dr. Pasqualini explained that CBT not only addresses anxiety and depression but also helps patients reconnect with enjoyable activities, improve medication adherence, and build meaningful social connections. These findings underscore the importance of integrating psychological care into PD treatment plans to support holistic well-being.
“Some of the most common symptoms [of Parkinson’s Disease] are depression and anxiety and CBT actually has quite a long research history of being effective for those disorders in general, but particularly also for people with [the disease]. But there are other aspects that are maybe less researched but also very important. “
Marcia Pasqualini, PhD