Boosting empathy and self-compassion for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers
Empathy and (Self-)Compassion to Improve the Quality of Life of Parkinson's Disease Patients and Caregivers: an Exploratory Study
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lugano) |
| Trial ID | NCT07097298 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Lugano
- 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
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.