MBCT for People With Parkinson's Disease and Caregivers

This study aims to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in reducing anxiety and/or depressive symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and caregivers of people with PD.

An adapted MBCT intervention will be offered to people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and mild-to-moderate depression and/or anxiety, as well as caregivers of people with PD. Several 8-week long MBCT groups will be held between September 2020 and May 2021, based on the adapted protocol. The MBCT intervention will consist of 90-minute weekly groups focused on teaching mindfulness techniques and ways to recognize cognitive patterns that can increase anxiety and/or depression. Participants will be recruited from the community, according to the eligibility criteria detailed below. For all participants, the pre- and post-MBCT anxiety and/or depressive symptom severity and mindfulness levels (as measured with standardized, validated scales) will be compared, using a paired t-test. For caregivers, pre- and post-MBCT caregiver burden scores will be compared as well.