A Randomized Trial of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Parkinson Disease

Psychotherapy is a meaningful acute treatment for Parkinson depression.

Psychotherapy is a first-line psychological approach to treat depression in Parkinson disease (PD), but few studies have been conducted on the topic. This randomized trial included patients with stages I to III PD and comorbid depressive disorder. Patients were assigned to 12 sessions of interpersonal psychotherapy (n=32) or supportive therapy (n=31). The primary outcome was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Patients who received interpersonal psychotherapy had a significantly greater reduction in depression than those who received supportive therapy (least squares mean difference, −3.77). Additionally, the interpersonal psychotherapy group had a higher odds of achieving remission (odds ratio, 3.23). The advantage favoring interpersonal …

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)