Objective: This scoping review examines the evidence for psychological interventions across the domains of therapy, activity, tele-health and integrated care for improving Quality of Life [QoL] in Parkinson’s Disease[PD] patients.

Background: PD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting approximately 1% of individuals over 60 years of age. While traditional management focuses on motor symptoms, psychological factors like depression and anxiety have a stronger association with reduced QoL than motor disability.

Method: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases was conducted using terms related to Parkinson’s disease, psychological interventions, and quality of life outcomes. Studies published in English between January 2000 and February 2025 were included if they evaluated psychological interventions for PD patients and reported QoL outcomes. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using appropriate tools.

Results: The review identified 50 studies evaluating various psychological interventions. The strongest evidence supported cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for improving psychological symptoms and QoL. Telehealth interventions showed promise but require further validation. Multidisciplinary care models consistently demonstrated improvements in both motor and non-motor symptoms. Physical activity interventions, particularly those incorporating aerobic exercise and mind-body practices, showed significant QoL improvements when sustained for at least 12 weeks. Key gaps in the evidence base include limited research on long-term sustainability, cultural adaptation, and optimal implementation strategies.

Conclusion: Psychological interventions are essential for comprehensive PD management. CBT and MBIs have the strongest evidence base for improving psychological symptoms and QoL. Multidisciplinary care models offer the most comprehensive benefits. Future research should address evidence gaps regarding long-term effectiveness, cultural adaptation, and standardized outcome measures.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-scoping-review-of-psychological-interventions-across-domains-to-improve-quality-of-life-in-persons-with-parkinsons-disease/