I didn’t know I had executive dysfunction, now I can do something about it: perspectives about CO-OP from people with Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Purposes: People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience increasing disability across their lifespan. Holistic rehabilitation approaches are needed to maximize their daily functioning and quality of life (QoL). The Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) approach targets daily functioning, with established efficacy in other neurological populations. This study is part of a larger trial of CO-OP with people with PD, describing the perspectives of people with PD who received CO-OP about its effect on their lives. Methods: People with PD participating in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) were interviewed following the CO-OP programme. Views about the feasibility, acceptability, and experiences of CO-OP were explored. Inductive thematic analysis was used to interpret the findings. Results: Analysis of interviews (n = 20) identified that CO-OP drove positive change in participants’ daily lives. Participants reported transfer and generalization of learned strategies, suggesting effective use of skills learned in CO-OP. Conclusions: Addressing a critical gap in PD management, findings suggest that CO-OP was perceived as effective in addressing a broad scope of PD-related issues. Findings hold particular significance for individuals experiencing long-term PD consequences, potentially offering a viable option to enhance participation and QoL. Findings support CO-OP as an implementable, acceptable, and potentially beneficial intervention in PD. Further research is warranted to establish efficacy.