The benefits of a standardized patient education program for patients with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers.

Abstract

The Patient Education Program Parkinson (PEPP) is a standardized psychosocial intervention aiming at improving the health-related quality of life (Hr-Qol) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and caregivers. A randomized controlled trial was performed to assess its effectiveness. Sixty-four PD patients and 46 caregivers were allocated to either the intervention group (PEPP) or the control group (usual care). The intervention consisted of eight weekly sessions of 90-minute duration. Assessments were performed on psychosocial problems (BELA-P/A-k), Hr-Qol (PDQ-39/EQ-5D) and depression (SDS) at baseline and one week after the end of the PEPP. Participants rated their mood on a visual analogue scale before and after each session. A significant effect for the caregivers on psychosocial problems and need for help was found and a trend for significance for patients' quality of life. Patients' and caregivers' mood improved significantly after each session. This study provides indications that PD patients and caregivers benefit from the PEPP.

• Authors: L E I A'Campo, E M Wekking, N G A Spliethoff-Kamminga, S Le Cessie, R A C Roos
• Journal: Parkinsonism & related disorders (Parkinsonism Relat Disord) Vol. 16 Issue 2 Pg. 89-95 (Feb 2010) ISSN: 1873-5126 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19674927 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
• Copyright: Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Caregivers (psychology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mental Status Schedule
• Middle Aged
• Mood Disorders (etiology)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Pain Measurement
• Parkinson Disease (complications, psychology)
• Patient Education as Topic (economics, standards)
• Quality of Life