The efficacy of the Strength, Hope and Resourcefulness Program for people with Parkinson's disease (SHARP-PWP): A mixed methods study

Kenneth C Murdoch; Denise Larsen; Wendy Edey; Chelsea Arsenault; Andrew Howell; Anthony Joyce; Tricia Sandham; Janis M Miyasaki

doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.11.010

The efficacy of the Strength, Hope and Resourcefulness Program for people with Parkinson's disease (SHARP-PWP): A mixed methods study

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2020 Jan:70:7-12. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.11.010. Epub 2019 Nov 16.

Authors

Kenneth C Murdoch¹, Denise Larsen², Wendy Edey³, Chelsea Arsenault², Andrew Howell⁴, Anthony Joyce⁵, Tricia Sandham², Janis M Miyasaki⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: kcmurdoc@ualberta.ca.
² Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
³ Hope Studies Central, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁴ Department of Psychology, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
⁶ Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

PMID: 31785444
DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.11.010

Abstract

Introduction: Treatment of PD focuses on improving symptoms and quality of life, yet research has not examined interventions aimed at promoting hope in patients. This study examined the effects of a Strength, Hope, and Resources Program for People with PD (SHARP-PWP), based on the principles of positive psychology.

Methods: A mixed method design examined the effects of a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of SHARP-PWP. 31 PD patients diagnosed in the last 5 years (average age = 66; 13 men, 18 women) participated in a 6-session program. All participants completed self-report measures at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 6-week follow-up. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. After the program, 15 participants completed a semi-structured interview. Qualitative interview data were analyzed using Interpretive Description.

Results: No significant differences in improvement were found between the Immediate and Delayed intervention groups. However, significant effects for time (i.e., pre-treatment to post-treatment) were found for health-related quality of life and well-being in both Immediate and Delayed conditions. Additional quantitative analysis revealed significant improvement in both groups on hope from pre-treatment to follow-up. Qualitative findings revealed that clients identified social, emotional, behavioral and cognitive changes experienced in the group.

Conclusions: Participating in positive psychology research improved health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and mental health and patients identified additional benefits at 6-week follow-up. Our results provide insight about the placebo effect and Hawthorne pre-placebo effects in the context of PD research. The findings can inform trial design and clinical care of patients with PD.

Keywords: Hope; Intervention; Parkinson's disease; Positive psychology; Quality of life; Well-being.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Aged
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hope
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
Parkinson Disease / psychology*
Parkinson Disease / rehabilitation*
Personal Satisfaction
Psychology, Positive*
Psychotherapy / methods*
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Time Factors