The Quality in Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is known to be impaired in people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD). Not surprisingly, a considerable effort of health interventions is aimed at maintaining or improving QoL. Yet, little is known about its determinants from a PwPD perspective to inform person-centered health care interventions. Objectives: This systematic review aims to overcome this information gap by synthesizing existing evidence on factors associated with PwPD’ self-perceived QoL. Methods: We searched six electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) from inception to January 2022 for eligible qualitative studies of QoL in PwPD, supplemented by citation tracking and hand searching. Study quality was assessed using the QualSyst tool. In order to characterize the determinants of QoL in PwPD, we conducted a qualitative meta-synthesis. Results: Our analysis revealed a wide range of facilitators and barriers to QoL relating to seven overarching themes: Illness experience, health care, everyday life, social life, identity, spirituality/religion, and environment. Conclusions: Our systematic review reinforces the impact of symptom experience on PwPD's QoL. However, it also highlights the need to consider the non-physical dimensions of PD when assessing patients’ QoL. It is therefore essential that health care professionals acknowledge the psychological, social and spiritual repercussions of PD and endeavor to respond to these concerns through a comprehensive and patient-centered strategy. Further research is needed to gain a deeper understanding of these facets of PD and to formulate successful interventions aimed at improving the QoL of PwPD.