Objective: Explore acceptability and perceived efficacy of a group intervention for people with Parkinson’s diseases (PD) with paid employment.

Background: PD leads to changes in work ability, job satisfaction and work-life balance. Little is known about interventions to support people with PD to manage these changes.[1] The JOBGRIP intervention was developed as a self-management group training to enhance job retention and work satisfaction.

Method: This feasibility study is part of a two-armed, exploratory randomized controlled trial. Participants were people with PD with paid employment for at least 12 hours a week. The group training was delivered in 4 groups: 2 groups in-person; 2 groups online. The training included 6 biweekly theme-based sessions with presentations by experts, group discussion and assignments to translate it to each participant’s personal situation. A follow-up meeting was scheduled after 5 months. Data were gathered using questionnaires and interviews (participants) and logbooks and focus group (trainers). We combined quantitative descriptive analysis and qualitative thematic analysis.

Results: In total 21 participants were allocated to the group training; 20 completed the training. Overall satisfaction with the training was high (mean score 8 out of 10). Most popular sessions were those on ‘work-related rules and regulations’ (70%), ‘managing fatigue’ (64%) and ‘cognition’ (50%). Participants particularly appreciated the group interaction around individual experiences and solution-focused working methods. Some missed a more concrete link to their own work setting and some topics lacked depth. Participants felt that the ultimate aim of the training (job retention) was too ambitious. Their perceived individual gain from the training could be categorized into three themes ‘knowing more’, ‘perceiving differently’ and ‘doing differently’. The advantages and disadvantages of both training formats were highlighted and participants in the online groups indicated that a blended training would be most optimal.

Conclusion: JOBGRIP is acceptable for participants in both delivery modes and leads to similar perceived positive efficacy. With some minor adaptations, a broader implementation of JOBGRIP is possible. Future work should clarify whether such group trainings can preserve meaningful employment and work-life balance for people with PD.

References: 1. McDaniels B. Employment status and vocational rehabilitation considerations for people with Parkinson’s disease: a review of the literature and a call to action. J. Vocat Rehabil 2018; 48:297–303. DOI:10.3233/JVR-180939

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