Mindfulness based stress reduction in people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners.
Deepal Shah-Zamora, Allison M Allen, Lacy Rardin, Margaret Ivancic, Katie Durham, Patrick Hickey, Jeffrey W. Cooney, B. Scott, S. Mantri
Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice March 31, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101377 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with Parkinson's disease and their care partners |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) |
| Duration | 9-week course, with follow-up at 3 months |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | MBSR improved health-related quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease and increased mindful awareness in care partners, but did not reduce caregiver burden. |
Abstract
Background: Parkinson's Disease (PD) leads to poor quality of life and caregiver burden. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may improve these symptoms. We assessed the impact of a 9-week MBSR course on people with PD (PwP) and their care partners (CPs).
Methods: Participants completed questionnaires at screening, at the end of the course, and at 3-month follow-up: Parkinson's Disease Quality-39 (PDQ-39, PD only), Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI, CP only) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS, both). The primary outcome measure was change in PDQ-39 (for PwP) or ZBI (for CP). Patient-reported scales were analyzed quantitatively; qualitative data on perceived effectiveness was collected.
Results: 53.8% PwP and 100% CPs completed the course. Among PwP, there was a significant reduction in MAAS(p < 0.001) and in PDQ-39 (p = 0.008). CPs experienced an increase in MAAS (p = 0.02) but no change in ZBI (p = 0.239). Qualitatively, both PwP and CPs expressed satisfaction with the course.
Discussion: MBSR improves mindful awareness in CPs and improves health-related quality of life in PwP.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clinical Gerontologist 2025
- Effects of virtual reality mindfulness on cognition and well-being in ALS: A randomized trial protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials May 1, 2025
- Mindfulness in Parkinson's disease: A French national survey and a pilot intervention feasibility trial using the MBSR program (M-Park). Revue Neurologique October 1, 2024
- Effectiveness of mindfulness meditation on balance, cognitive functions, quality of life, and falls prevention in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review. Neuropsychological rehabilitation September 7, 2026
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on the Mental Health and Care Burden in Family Caregivers of Individuals with Psychosis. Community Mental Health Journal February 1, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 8
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- A qualitative analysis of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in Parkinson's disease Psychology and Psychotherapy Theory Research and Practice October 20, 2009
- Mindfulness training for psychological stress in family caregivers of persons with dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Clinical Interventions in Aging September 1, 2017
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction in Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review BMC Neurology May 15, 2017
- Effects of Mindfulness Yoga vs Stretching and Resistance Training Exercises on Anxiety and Depression for People With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurology July 1, 2019
and 3 more in the library