Improving the Management of Parkinson Through Psychological Interventions: Marcia Pasqualini, PhD

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

"Some of the most common symptoms [of Parkinson disease] are depression and anxiety and CBT actually has quite a long research history of being effective for those disorders in general, but particularly also for people with [the disease]. But there are other aspects that are maybe less researched but also very important. "

Nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) including impaired cognition, anxiety, and depression can have a strong adverse effect on the quality of life for patients; however, in a recently published study in BMC Neurology, results revealed that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can have beneficial effects on cognitive status and quality of life in this patient population.¹ Notably, researchers reported in the study that CBT could represent an effective option for treating nonmotor symptoms such as anxiety and depression in these patients.² Overall, these study findings provide additional evidence in favor of applying CBT as a means of improving the mental health, cognition, and quality of patients with PD.

At 4th Annual Advanced Therapeutics in Movement and Related Disorders (ATMRD) Congress, held by the PMD Alliance from June 27-30, 2025, clinical psychologist Marcia Pasqualini, PhD, professor of psychology at Avila University, and Renia Kodabak, LICSW, clinical social worker at Georgetown University Medical Center, presented at talk on addressing neuropsychiatric symptoms in PD. In the session, the speakers explored the role of CBT as an evidence-based intervention for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of PD to potentially be used as an adjunct with advanced therapies, as well as the role of social support in decreasing feelings of isolation among patients with the disease.

Following the session, Pasqualini sat down with NeurologyLive^® to further discuss how CBT and other psychological interventions can complement medical treatment for individuals with PD. During the interview, she explained that although depression and anxiety are common nonmotor symptoms in PD, emotional expression, social isolation, and decreased enjoyment in life are also significant challenges that patients can experience. Pasqualini noted that psychological support can target these areas, helping patients engage more in pleasurable activities, improve adherence to medication, and maintain social connections particularly with others who understand the PD experience.

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REFERENCES
1. Wu X, Shi M, Lian Y, Zhang H. Cognitive behavioral therapy approaches to the improvement of mental health in Parkinson's disease patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Neurol. 2024;24(1):352. Published 2024 Sep 19. doi:10.1186/s12883-024-03859-x
2. Pasqualini M, Kodabak R. Non-Pharmacological Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s. Presented at: ATMRD; June 27-30, 2025; Washington, DC.