Objective: Evaluate the impact of a multisensory, hands-on experience designed to simulate the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) on healthcare providers’ (HCPs) empathy, understanding, and clinical decision-making. We hypothesize that this experience will increase provider-reported empathy and awareness of patient challenges influencing treatment recommendations.

Background: While HCPs seek to manage the significant motor and non-motor symptoms, a firsthand experience may increase potential for improved patient communication, empathy, and influence treatment approaches. Experiential learning offers a unique opportunity to bridge this gap by immersing providers in patient-like experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of symptom burden and the need for personalized care strategies.

Method: HCPs at the ATMRD conference in June 2025 will participate in a Sensory-Experience Breakfast and interactive simulation stations to enhance empathy and clinical understanding of movement disorders. Sensory-Experience Breakfast: Simulated motor-related challenges affecting eating.

Interactive Simulation Stations: VR Hallucination Simulation: Experiencing Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Freezing of Gait Simulation: Replicating foot freezing challenges.

Dysphagia Challenge: Thickened water to simulate swallowing difficulties.

Taste Dimming Experience: Using a taste-altering product to mimic loss of taste.

Fine Motor & Rigidity Simulation: Performing dexterity tasks with oversized mitts.

Participants will provide instant survey feedback during and after each experience, along with pre- and post-experience surveys assessing empathy, clinical confidence, and potential changes in patient care strategies.

Results: Pending data collection, we anticipate participants will experience increased empathy scores post-experience with greater appreciation for patient struggles and a deeper understanding of symptom burden. We also expect improvements in provider confidence in discussing symptom management and modifying treatment approaches based on real-world patient experiences.

Conclusion: Immersive sensory experiences provide a novel and impactful approach to provider education in movement disorders. By directly experiencing the challenges faced by their patients, HCPs can develop greater empathy and refine patient-centered care strategies. Future research should explore the long-term impact of experiential learning on clinical practice and patient outcomes.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/empathy-in-action-a-sensory-experience-for-healthcare-providers/