Guided self-help for the management of worry in Parkinson's disease: a pilot study

Rachael A Lawson, David Millar, Richard G Brown, David J Burn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorder and anxiety symptomatology are common in Parkinson's disease (PD), with up to 25% patients experiencing significant worry. There is no systematic evidence base for the management of anxiety or anxiety related symptoms such as worry in PD.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether cognitive therapy, delivered as bibliotherapy, is an effective intervention for worry in PD.

METHODS: 54 participants were randomly allocated to a guided reading group and a control group. The guided reading group were given a CBT based self-help resource called What? Me Worry!?! to work through over eight weeks, with telephone support at two week intervals. Controls were given information about worry only, and one phone call. Measures of worry, intolerance of uncertainty, metacognitions and health status were taken at baseline and after 3 months.

RESULTS: Analysable data were obtained for 15 controls and 17 from the guided reading group. Worry and intolerance of uncertainty were significantly reduced in the guided reading group. However, no significant differences were found for the follow up measures between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Bibliotherapy has the potential to be useful and cost effective as a management strategy for the treatment of worry in people with PD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-68
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Parkinson's Disease
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Bibliotherapy
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease
  • Pilot Projects
  • Self Care
  • Treatment Outcome

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