Cognitive Deficits Improve in Patients With Parkinson Disease

Cognitive rehabilitation improves cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease, according to results from a new meta-analysis in Neurological Science.

“[P]revious meta-analysis on this topic reported inconsistent results,” wrote a research team from Italy in the study background. “Clarifying the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation would be pivotal to optimize treatment and reduce care’s costs.”

Researchers conducted the meta-analysis to gauge whether the current literature supports cognitive training in people with Parkinson disease. Their investigation, which included separate analyses for each cognitive domain, included data from 14 studies with a total 767 participants.

According to the results, cognitive rehabilitation benefits global cognition, executive function, long-term memory, and short-term memory. High heterogeneity among studies, however, indicates a need for additional controlled clinical trials.

“The current body of research indicates that cognitive rehabilitation improves specific cognitive deficits in Parkinson disease,” researchers wrote, “and that it should be tailored [to focus] on patients’ specific impairments.”

Even though not every cognitive domain may improve with cognitive training, the intervention offers benefit, they advised, and should be a part of care.

Reference:
Giustiniani A, Maistrello L, Danesin L, Rigon E, Burgio F. Effects of cognitive rehabilitation in Parkinson disease: a meta-analysis. Neurol Sci. Published online January 31, 2022. doi:10.1007/s10072-021-05772-4.