A-51 * Preliminary Outcome Data of a Clinical Trial Comparing a Neurocognitive Intervention to Supportive Therapy in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is now conceptualized as a whole body neurodegenerative disease with neurocognitive symptoms that gradually develop and progressively compromise individuals' activity levels, quality of life (QOL), and independence. No neurocognitive interventions have been tailored to the needs of individuals with PD despite the prevalence of neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms in PD. This trial aimed to adapt empirically supported memory and problem solving techniques for use in a PD population. Methods: This ongoing, randomized controlled trial (RCT) seeks to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel neurocognitive intervention, which incorporates memory enhancement and problem solving strategies, compared to nondirective supportive therapy in individuals with PD and Mild Cognitive Impairment (N=11) and their support persons (N=6). Individual outcomes include neuropsychological tests of attention, processing speed, memory, and executive functioning, and selfreported mood symptoms and QOL, given at baseline, immediate follow-up, and 6-month follow-up visits. Results: Preliminary findings from the immediate follow up showed trends for improved short-term memory among participants receiving the neurocognitive intervention. Attention, processing speed, and mental flexibility appeared relatively stable for both groups. Mood and QOL ratings did not appear to significantly alter in either group, but overall depression ratings were mild in both groups and QOL ratings were generally positive. Apathy ratings of participants in the neurocognitive intervention condition appeared to markedly decline following completion of the trial. Ongoing enrollment of additional participants and evaluation of outcomes at a 6-month follow-up will reveal whether these benefits are consistent in a larger sample and whether they are maintained over time. These initial results suggest that targeting memory and problem solving skills may be effective in counteracting aspects of neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms experienced by individuals with PD.