Boosting empathy and self-compassion for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers
Official title: Empathy and (Self-)Compassion to Improve the Quality of Life of Parkinson's Disease Patients and Caregivers: an Exploratory Study
Run by Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona · NCT07097298 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a six-week empathy and self-compassion training to see if it improves quality of life for people with Parkinson's and their regular caregivers.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lugano) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 6, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | July 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 1, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07097298 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are people with Parkinson's who are Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 or lower, cognitively intact (MMSE ≥26), able to consent, have at least a secondary education, and have a regular caregiver at home.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with major depression, other significant psychiatric or neurological disorders, dementia-level cognitive impairment, advanced Parkinson's (H&Y >3), or who cannot participate due to language or procedural barriers are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants with Parkinson's disease and their regular caregivers will take part in a six-week program of mindfulness, writing, and poetry exercises designed to train cognitive, emotional, motivational, and behavioral aspects of empathy and self-compassion. Patients must have Hoehn and Yahr stage ≤3, a Mini Mental State Examination score ≥26, and a regular caregiver at home, while caregivers must provide care at least three days per week. Outcomes are measured with questionnaires completed before and after the training to capture changes in quality of life and related psychosocial measures. Major psychiatric or neurological comorbidities, dementia-level cognitive impairment, or inability to follow procedures are exclusions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve emotional well-being and overall quality of life for people with Parkinson's and reduce caregiver strain.
How similar studies have gone: Related compassion- and mindfulness-based programs have improved well-being in other chronic illness and caregiver groups, but evidence specifically in Parkinson's disease remains limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of PD * Hoehn and Yahr scale, stage ≤ 3 * Mini Mental State Examination with a score ≥ 26 * Able to give informed consent as documented by signature * At least, secondary school education * To have a regular caregiver at home Exclusion Criteria: * Any medical condition that is not PD, such as drug induced parkinsonism * Major depression, dysthymia, or according to DSM-V * Other neurological or psychiatric diseases * Neuropsychological scores compatible with the diagnosis of early dementia * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, etc For CAREGIVERS: Inclusion criteria * Taking care of the patient on a regular basis, i.e., at least 3 days per week * Being caregiver of the patients for at least 3 months * At least, secondary school education * Written informed consent
Where it's running
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Istituto di Neuroscienze Cliniche della Svizzera Italiana, EOC
Lugano, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alain Kaelin, Prof. MD PhD
- Email: alain.kaelin@eoc.ch
- Phone: +41918117342
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.