Telephone-administered cognitive behavioral therapy: a case study of anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease

J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2009 Sep;16(3):243-53. doi: 10.1007/s10880-009-9167-6. Epub 2009 Apr 29.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic medical illness with a high incidence of psychiatric comorbidity, specifically depression and anxiety. Research on treatment of such psychiatric complications is scarce. Non-pharmaceutical treatment options are especially attractive. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic treatment option that has been successful in other chronically medically ill populations with comorbid depression and anxiety. The current research had two aims. The first was to pilot the feasibility of screening and identifying PD patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression in a specialized outpatient clinic. The second aim was to pilot the feasibility of telephone-administered CBT for the treatment of depression and anxiety in persons with PD, which was done through a case series comparing telephone-administered CBT to a Support strategy. A fairly large portion (67.5%) of patients screened in the outpatient clinic were identified as having symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Results also indicated that CBT delivered via the telephone is a useful approach for targeting psychiatric symptoms in this population. A case example is given to illustrate the clinical considerations associated with delivering therapy via telephone to persons with PD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anxiety Disorders / etiology
  • Anxiety Disorders / prevention & control
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Depressive Disorder / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder / prevention & control
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Quality of Life
  • Remote Consultation*
  • Self-Help Groups
  • Telephone