Objective: To explore attitudes regarding use of medications among care partners of individuals with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) psychosis is a highly morbid manifestation of PD and negatively impacts the quality of life of both patients and their care partners (CP). Effective therapies for PD psychosis exist, but some carry significant risk. Understanding CP attitudes regarding medications for PD psychosis could help inform healthcare provider discussions and promote shared decision-making regarding their use.
Method: This was a mixed-methods study. Prompted online journaling activities and structured telephone interviews were conducted with CPs of patients with PD psychosis, identified via Fox Trial Finder. Using common themes from journaling and telephone interviews, a survey was then developed and administered to caregivers of PD patients participating in the online study Fox Insight. The survey included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), and a multiple-choice questionnaire regarding attitudes on medications.
Results: Online journaling with 20 CPs and phone interviews with 9 additional CPs revealed frequent knowledge of and openness to use of antipsychotics. 145 CPs of individuals with PD psychosis participated in the online survey, 110 female (76%), mean age 66.38 years. Mean CBI score was 41.82 (SD 15.8). 103 (71%) CPs reported being aware of medications available to treat PD psychosis, and in 46 (32%), the PD patient they were caring for was taking such a medication. An additional 35 (24%) indicated being likely to advocate for medication to treat psychosis. A perception that the patient or CP were in danger from the psychosis was the most commonly cited reason for advocating for medication, in 76 (52%) cases.
Conclusion: CP of individuals with PD psychosis have high caregiver burden. A majority express some familiarity with medications to treat PD psychosis, but fewer than 1/3 report use of these medications. A common theme across all methods of data collection was that antipsychotic medications would be advocated especially in instances of perceived danger from the psychosis.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Mantri, S. Albert, E. Klawson, L. Alzyoud, M. Daeschler, C. Kopil, C. Marras, L. Chahine. Attitudes of Care Partners Toward Medications for Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/attitudes-of-care-partners-toward-medications-for-parkinsons-disease-psychosis/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/attitudes-of-care-partners-toward-medications-for-parkinsons-disease-psychosis/