Palliative Care Improves Nonmotor Symptoms, Self-Impressions in Patients With Parkinson Disease

More holistic patient self-impressions as well as self-efficacy gains in care partners were among the specific benefits of integrated palliative care for patients with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, according to study results published online ahead of print in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.

“Increasing evidence demonstrates the benefits of palliative care among individuals with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, but the critical components that contribute to therapeutic effects are not well understood,” researchers explained in the study background.

To identify specific correlates of improvement in patient and care partner outcomes stemming from palliative care, researchers performed a secondary analysis of data from a comparative effectiveness trial that found better patient quality of life and lower caregiver burden with a palliative care intervention. Data for the secondary analysis spanned 210 patients and 175 care partners.

Patients assigned the palliative care intervention reported greater improvement in “self as a whole” perceptions at 6 months, and care partners reported greater drops in stress, anger, and loss of control at 12 months, than those assigned standard care, according to the study.

Improvements in non-motor symptoms and grief were associated with improved quality of life and decreased anxiety in patients, researchers reported, and increased spirituality in care partners.

“Alleviation of care partner anxiety and depression,” they added, “correlated with reduced care partner burden.”

Reference:
Bock MA, Katz M, Sillau S, et al. What's in the sauce? The specific benefits of palliative care for Parkinson’s disease. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2022;S0885-3924(22)00040-9. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2022.01.017