Telehealth Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Reduce Anxiety in People Living with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Feasibility Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of telehealth-based cognitive behavior therapy for people living with cognitive impairment experiencing anxiety (Tele-CBT), and to assess whether this leads to improvements in anxiety, depression, and quality of life post-intervention. METHODS: This was a single-blind randomized feasibility pilot trial of the Tele-CBT versus usual care. People living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia experiencing anxiety were recruited and randomized to receive Tele-CBT (n = 5) or continue usual care (n = 5). Feasibility data comprised recruitment uptake and retention, adherence, and ease of use. Outcomes of anxiety (primary outcome - Rating Anxiety in Dementia; RAID), depression, stress, and quality of life were measured pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Intervention feasibility was demonstrated through minimal attrition, acceptability, and ease of use via videoconferencing. Both groups showed a decrease of anxiety symptoms (RAID) from baseline to post-assessment. CONCLUSIONS: The Tele-CBT program was acceptable to use via videoconferencing. Reduced anxiety symptoms were observed in both groups at post-. An RCT with a larger sample is required to determine the efficacy and implementation of the intervention. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study indicates the feasibility of videoconference CBT to address anxiety experienced by people living with cognitive impairment with minimal assistance from support persons.

Hippocampal resting-state connectivity is associated with posterior-cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

AIM: Frontal and posterior-cortical cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease (PD) present with executive/attention and memory/visuospatial deficits, respectively. As the posterior-cortical subtype is predicted to progress rapidly toward dementia, the present study aimed to explore biological markers of this group using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: K-means cluster analysis delineated subtypes (cognitively intact, frontal, posterior-cortical, and globally impaired) among 85 people with PD. A subset of PD participants (N = 42) and 20 healthy controls (HCs) underwent rs-fMRI. Connectivity of bilateral hippocampi with regions of interest was compared between posterior-cortical, cognitively intact, and HC participants using seed-based analysis, controlling for age. Exploratory correlations were performed between areas of interest from the group analysis and a series of cognitive tests. RESULTS: The posterior-cortical subtype (N = 19) showed weaker connectivity between the left hippocampus and right anterior temporal fusiform cortex compared to the cognitively intact (N = 11) group, p-false discovery rate (FDR) = .01, and weaker connectivity between bilateral hippocampi and most fusiform regions compared to HCs (N = 20). No differences were found between HCs and cognitively intact PD. Exploratory analyses revealed strongest associations between connectivity of the right anterior temporal fusiform cortex and left hippocampus with category fluency (p-FDR = .01). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that weakened connectivity between the hippocampus and fusiform region is a unique characteristic of posterior-cortical cognitive deficits in PD. Further exploration of hippocampal and fusiform functional integrity as a marker of cognitive decline in PD is warranted.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Videoconferencing CBT Intervention for Anxiety in People with Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: In people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), non-motor symptoms such as anxiety are common and have negative impacts on their quality of life. There are currently few interventions that address anxiety in PwPD, and access to diagnosis and treatment is often limited for those living in rural areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in PwPD. METHODS: A pre- and post-test feasibility study (N = 10) was conducted and evaluated utilizing the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). RESULTS: Lack of access to the internet and videoconferencing technology were identified as barriers to participation. Physical health issues also impacted recruitment and retention. Non-completers were significantly older and less likely to have a carer involved in the intervention. Clinician adoption of the intervention was low while participant acceptability of videoconferencing technology varied and required carer support. CONCLUSIONS: Providing access to technology and support to overcome technological issues, as well as telehealth training for clinicians, are recommended in future studies to improve recruitment, retention, and implementation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Identification of barriers and facilitators provides future studies with the knowledge to tailorize their program to better suit PwPD.

Anxiety Symptoms in Australian Memory Clinic Attendees with Cognitive Impairment: Differences Between Self-, Carer-, and Clinician-Report Measures.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of anxiety symptoms using a variety of instruments in an Australian memory clinic sample. METHODS: This is an exploratory cross-sectional study using a purposive consecutive series sample of 163 individuals and their carers who attended a Brisbane, Australia, memory clinic in 2012-2015. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed to explore different approaches to measuring anxiety in the sample, using clinician-rated, self-report and carer-report measures. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 78 years, nearly 53% were females. Over 70% of participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia (n = 163) experienced mild to moderate anxiety per a clinician-rated measure (HAM-A), which moderately correlated with carer-report anxiety (IQAD; rs =.59, p < .001). Only weak correlations of these measures with self-report anxiety (GAI) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Mild to moderate anxiety symptoms were frequent in memory clinic attendees diagnosed with MCI or dementia using the HAM-A, suggesting experiences of subclinical anxiety symptoms. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Self- as well as carer-report screening tools should be used in memory clinics in addition to routinely administered neuropsychiatric assessments to support early identification of anxiety symptoms and mapping of available post-diagnostic care pathways for people diagnosed with cognitive impairment.

Optimising verbal fluency analysis in neurological patients with dysarthria: examples from Parkinson's disease and hereditary ataxia.

BACKGROUND: Verbal fluency tests (VFTs) are widely used to assess cognitive-linguistic performance in neurological diseases. However, the influence of dysarthria on performance in tests requiring oral responses is unclear in ataxia and Parkinson's disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of dysarthria on VFT performance and evaluate the validity and reliability of alternative methods for analyzing VFT data. METHOD: Trained raters evaluated dysarthria using VFT recordings in people with ataxia (N = 61) or Parkinson's disease (PD; N = 69). Total Correct Items scores and qualitative parameters (intrusions, ambiguous verbalizations, perseverations, and interjections) were compared across semantic, phonemic, and alternating fluency tasks. Disease severity was considered as a covariate in the regression model. RESULTS: VFT dysarthria ratings correlated with the benchmark (ground truth) dysarthria scores derived from a monologue. Ambiguous responses resulting from unclear speech impeded the rater's ability to determine if a response was correct. Regression analysis indicated that more severe dysarthria ratings predicted diminished scores in all three tasks (semantic fluency, phonemic fluency and alternating fluency) in the ataxia group. The contribution of disease severity to semantic, phonemic and alternating fluency was reduced substantially in the ataxia group after accounting for dysarthria severity in the model in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dysarthria severity can be estimated based on speech samples derived from VFT. Dysarthria can lead to lower total correct items and is associated with more ambiguous verbalizations in VFT. Dysarthria severity should be considered when interpreting VFT performance in common movement disorders.

Longitudinal follow up of data-driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease.

AIM: The dual syndrome hypothesis proposes that there are two cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease (PD): a frontal subtype with executive/attention impairment and gradual cognitive decline, and a posterior-cortical subtype with memory/visuospatial deficits and rapid cognitive decline. We aimed to compare the rate of global cognitive decline between subtypes derived using data-driven methods and explore their longitudinal performance within specific cognitive domains to better understand the prognosis of each subtype. METHOD: Frontal, posterior-cortical, globally impaired, and cognitively intact PD subtypes were identified at baseline using k-means clustering (N = 85), and 29 participants (34%) returned for follow-up assessments on average 4.87 years from baseline. Linear mixed effects models compared progression of subtypes on global cognition; psychological symptoms; parkinsonism; and the memory, attention, executive, language, and visuospatial cognitive domains. RESULTS: The frontal subtype was lost to attrition. While rate of change in parkinsonism, anxiety, and apathy differed between subtypes, there was no difference in the rate of global cognitive decline. However, the posterior-cortical subtype declined most rapidly in verbal memory, card sorting, trail making, and judgement of line orientation (JLO), while the cognitively intact group declined most rapidly on verbal memory and semantic fluency. The globally impaired subtype declined most rapidly in JLO, although this should be interpreted with caution due to high attrition. CONCLUSION: Despite limited sample size, the present study supports the differential progression of the posterior-cortical subtype compared to cognitively intact and globally impaired PD. These results encourage further, large-scale longitudinal investigations of cognitive subtypes in PD.

Global assessment, cognitive profile, and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits are evident throughout the course of Parkinson's disease (PD), with 24% of patients experiencing subtle cognitive disturbances at the time of diagnosis, and with up to 80% of patients developing PD dementia (PDD) at advanced stages of the disease PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an at-risk phenotype of PDD, present with heterogeneous clinical characteristics that complicate the management of PD. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the characteristics of PD-MCI by using the Movement Disorder Society (MDS) diagnostic criteria and evaluate the validity of global cognitive scales in identifying PD-MCI. METHODS: Seventy-nine (79) PD patients completed neuropsychological assessments and a comprehensive cognitive battery. PD-MCI was classified according to the level 2 MDS task force criteria. Mini-Mental State Examination (sMMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Rating Scale (PDCRS) were examined against a level 2 dichotomised PD-MCI diagnosis. Characteristics of PD-MCI were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients met criteria for PD-MCI (34%). The MoCA and PDCRS demonstrated high validity to screen for PD-MCI. Impairments in multiple cognitive domains were observed in 77.8% of PD-MCI patients. There were significantly more males in the PD-MCI group compared to PD patients without MCI (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PD patients with MCI exhibited impairments in the attention/working memory, executive function and memory domains. Heterogeneous cognitive characteristics in PD warrant further investigation into specific cognitive subtypes to advance understanding and effective evaluation of PD-MCI.

Barriers and enablers for the implementation of trauma-informed care in healthcare settings: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare services can be re-traumatising for trauma survivors where they trigger memories of past distressing events and exert limits to a survivor's sense of autonomy, choice, and control. The benefits of receiving trauma-informed healthcare are well established; however, factors that promote or impede the implementation of trauma-informed care are not yet well characterised and understood. The aim of this review was to systematically identify and synthesise evidence regarding factors that promote or reduce the implementation of TIC in healthcare settings. METHODS: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2.0 guidelines. Scopus, MEDLINE, Proquest, PsycINFO and grey literature were searched for original research or evaluations published between January 2000 and April 2021 reporting barriers and/or facilitating factors for the implementation of trauma-informed care in a healthcare setting. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of each included study using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) Checklist. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included, 22 of which were published in the USA. Implementation occurred in a range of health settings, predominantly mental health services. The barriers and facilitators of implementing trauma-informed care were categorised as follows: intervention characteristics (perceived relevance of trauma-informed care to the health setting and target population), influences external to the organisation (e.g. interagency collaboration or the actions of other agencies) and influences within the organisation in which implementation occurred (e.g. leadership engagement, financial and staffing resources and policy and procedure changes that promote flexibility in protocols). Other factors related to the implementation processes (e.g. flexible and accessible training, service user feedback and the collection and review of initiative outcomes) and finally the characteristics of individuals within the service or system such as a resistance to change. CONCLUSIONS: This review identifies key factors that should be targeted to promote trauma-informed care implementation. Continued research will be helpful for characterising what trauma-informed care looks like when it is delivered well, and providing validated frameworks to promote organisational uptake for the benefit of trauma survivors. REGISTRATION: The protocol for this review was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42021242891).

The Use of Balanced Scorecards in Mental Health Services: an Integrative Review and Thematic Analysis.

Performance management of mental health services (MHS) through quality reporting of strategic indicators and goals is essential to improve efficiency and quality of care. One such method is the balanced scorecard (BSC). This integrative review of peer-reviewed and industry implemented BSCs in MHS aims to inform future development of a more comprehensive mental health-focused benchmarking tool. A two-part systematic literature search consisted of peer-reviewed published literature on MHS specific BSCs utilising the PRISMA guidelines in addition to industry published BSCs available online. A total of 17 unique BSCs were identified. A total of 434 indicators were subject to thematic analysis identifying 11 key themes: prevalence, accessibility, services provided, clinical outcomes, client satisfaction, client involvement, staff motivation, staffing levels, governance and compliance, development, and costs and revenue. These themes represented the measures that MHS believed measured key performance criteria in alignment with their organisational objectives.

How Effective are Pictures in Eliciting Information from People Living with Dementia? A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: Decline in language and cognitive functioning often deprives people living with moderate-to-severe dementia of self-reporting their quality of life (QoL) on the written and verbal formats of questionnaires. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pictorial tools as an alternative method for enabling people living with dementia to self-report their QoL. METHODS: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched. Primary research studies reporting on information elicitation from people living with dementia through pictures were deemed eligible. Six studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of the studies was evaluated through Downs and Black checklist. Data was extracted according to population, intervention, comparator, and outcomes (PICO) and results were summarized and supplemented by narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Compared to usual communication methods, pictorial tools were found to have a superior effect on comprehension of conversations and decision-making abilities, minimal effect on preference consistency, and an undeterminable effect on discourse features. CONCLUSIONS: There is consistent evidence that pictures enhance comprehension and might facilitate decision-making abilities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: QoL information can be elicited more effectively through pictorial tools. Future studies warrant development of pictorial versions of standardized QoL tools which will assist the inclusion of people living with severe dementia.

A Pilot Study of Telehealth Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression in Parkinson's Disease.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by high-rates of depression with limited evidence-based treatment options to improve mood. Objective: To expand therapeutic options, we evaluated the feasibility and effect of a telehealth mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention adapted for PD (MBCT-PD) in a sample of participants with DSM-5 depressive disorders. Methods: Fifteen participants with PD and clinically-significant depression completed 9 sessions of MBCT-PD. Depression, anxiety, and quality of life were evaluated at baseline, endpoint, and 1-month follow-up. Results: Telehealth MBCT-PD was feasible and beneficial. Completion rates exceeded 85% and treatment satisfaction rates were high. Notable improvements were observed for depression, anxiety, and quality of life over the course of the trial. Conclusion: Telehealth MBCT-PD shows promise and warrants further evaluation via randomized clinical trial with more diverse participants. Such research holds the potential to expand the range of therapeutic options for depression in PD, thereby setting the stage for personalized care.

Phenomenology of anxiety in people living with mild to moderate dementia: A conceptual meta-ethnographic review.

OBJECTIVES: This conceptual review aims to integrate findings from published qualitative studies focusing on individual experiences of people living with dementia to generate a better understanding and conceptualisation of anxiety in dementia, including its subclinical manifestations. The review aims to inform the clinical practice to facilitate the development of targeted psychological interventions and provision of holistic support to people living with dementia. DESIGN: The review was conducted according to the guide for reporting meta-ethnographic qualitative syntheses eMERGe and the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: The search yielded a total of 2947 studies, out of which 13 were included in the final qualitative synthesis. The interpretive synthesis identified common experiences of people living with mild to moderate dementia, characterised by clusters of themes around worry, emotional experiences, and behavioural reactions in response to the diagnosis of dementia and its symptoms. These represent the components of a conceptual framework of anxiety in mild to moderate dementia, where anxiety is triggered by negative appraisals of living with an irreversible neurodegenerative disease. Stemming from these appraisals of dementia progression and its impact on the person's overall future, the content of worrisome thoughts and concerns include the loss of self and identity, losing independence and the ability to perform previous activities, concerns about being a burden to loved ones, and worry about the impact on interpersonal relationships. CONCLUSION: This conceptualisation of anxiety in dementia, including its subclinical manifestations facilitates the development of psychological interventions and provision of holistic support to people living with dementia.

Systematic review of data-driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent application of the mild cognitive impairment concept to Parkinson disease (PD) has proven valuable in identifying patients at risk of dementia. However, it has sparked controversy regarding the existence of cognitive subtypes. The present review evaluates the current literature pertaining to data-driven subtypes of cognition in PD. METHODS: Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, systematic literature searches for peer-reviewed articles on the topic of cognitive subtyping in PD were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two relevant articles were identified in the systematic search. Subtype structures showed either a spectrum of severity or specific domains of impairment. Domain-specific subtypes included amnestic/nonamnestic, memory/executive, and frontal/posterior dichotomies, as well as more complex structures with less definitive groupings. Preliminary longitudinal evidence showed some differences in cognitive progression among subtypes. Neuroimaging evidence provided insight into distinct patterns of brain alterations among subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Recurring phenotypes in the literature suggest strong clinical relevance of certain cognitive subtypes in PD. Although the current literature is limited, it raises critical questions about the utility of data-driven methods in cognitive research. The results encourage further integration of neuroimaging research to define the latent neural mechanisms behind divergent subtypes. Although there is no consensus, there appears to be growing consistency and inherent value in identifying cognitive subtypes in PD.

Semantic fluency deficits and associated brain activity in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment.

People living with Parkinson's disease (PD) with poor verbal fluency have an increased risk of developing dementia. This study examines the neural mechanisms underpinning semantic fluency deficits in patients with PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) compared to those without MCI (PD-NC) and control participants without PD (non-PD). Thirty-seven (37) participants with PD completed a cognitive assessment battery to identify MCI (13 PD-MCI). Twenty sex- and age-matched non-PD patients also participated. Participants were scanned (3T Siemens PRISMA) while performing semantic fluency, semantic switching, and automatic speech tasks. The number of responses and fMRI data for semantic generation and semantic switching were analyzed. Participants also completed a series of verbal fluency tests outside the scanner, including letter fluency. Participants with PD-MCI performed significantly worse than PD-NC and non-PD participants during semantic fluency and semantic switching tasks. PD-MCI patients showed greater activity in the right angular gyrus than PD-NC and non-PD patients during semantic switching. Increased right angular activity correlated with worse verbal fluency performance outside the scanner. Our study showed that the PD-MCI group performed worse on semantic fluency than either the PD-NC or non-PD groups. Increased right angular gyrus activity in participants with PD-MCI during semantic switching suggests early compensatory mechanisms, predicting the risk of future dementia in PD.

A Systematic Review of Psychotherapy Approaches for Anxiety in Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: Anxiety is common in Parkinson's disease (PD), negatively impacting daily functioning and quality of life in PD patients and their families. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic approaches for reducing anxiety in PD and provides recommendations for clinical practise. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, 36 studies were included and risk of bias was evaluated. RESULTS: We identified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapies, acceptance and commitment therapy, and psychodrama psychotherapies. There is good evidence-base for anxiety reduction using CBT approaches, but with mixed results for mindfulness-based therapies. Other therapeutic approaches were under researched. Most randomized control trials examined anxiety as a secondary measure. There was a paucity of interventions for anxiety subtypes. Secondarily, studies revealed the consistent exclusion of PD patients with cognitive concerns, an importance of care partner involvement, and a growing interest in remote delivery of psychotherapy interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Person-centered anxiety interventions tailored for PD patients, including those with cognitive concerns, and trials exploring modalities other than CBT, warrant future investigations. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Practitioners should consider PD-specific anxiety symptoms and cognitive concerns when treating anxiety. Key distinctions between therapeutic modalities, therapy settings and delivery methods should guide treatment planning.

Phenomenology of Atypical Anxiety Disorders in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is a prominent concern in Parkinson's disease (PD) that negatively impacts quality of life, increases functional disability, and complicates clinical management. Atypical presentations of anxiety are under-recognized and inadequately treated in patients with PD, compromising global PD care. METHODS: This systematic review focuses on the prevalence, symptomology and clinical correlates of atypical presentations of PD-related anxiety following PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 60 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 14 focused on 'Anxiety Not Otherwise Specified (NOS)' or equivalent, 31 reported on fluctuating anxiety symptoms, and 22 reported on 'Fear of Falling (FOF)'. Anxiety NOS accounted for a weighted mean prevalence of 14.9%, fluctuating anxiety for 34.19%, and FOF for 51.5%. These latter two exceeded the average reported overall prevalence rate of 31% for anxiety disorders in PD. We identified a diverse array of anxiety symptoms related to motor and non-motor symptoms of PD, to complications of PD medication (such as "on" and "off" fluctuations, or both), and, to a lesser extent, to cognitive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Atypical anxiety is common, clinically relevant, and heterogeneous in nature. A better understanding of the phenomenology, clinical course, and pathophysiology of varied forms of atypical anxiety in PD is needed to improve recognition, advance therapeutic development and ultimately optimize quality of life in PD.

The Attention Network Test in Parkinson and Lewy Body Disease: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The Attention Network Test (ANT) is a well-established measure of efficiency for the alerting, orienting, and executive attentional networks. However, its novel application in Parkinson disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD) research more broadly has yet to be evaluated systematically. OBJECTIVE: To compare and consolidate the outcomes of studies reporting use of the ANT in PD and LBD groups and to identify the methodological considerations for the conduct of such studies. METHOD: We performed a systematic literature search for articles exploring attention in PD and LBD groups using the ANT. We excluded articles on the basis of irrelevant scope, non-English, and groups other than PD and LBD. Once the full text articles were identified, we extracted the data and assessed the studies' quality. RESULTS: The final sample included 16 articles ranging from low to moderate quality. Behavioral findings suggested a general slowing of responses yet preserved accuracy from the PD group compared with controls. Overall, the evidence was inconclusive regarding the state of the alerting network in the PD and LBD groups, mostly supportive of an intact orienting network, and strongly suggestive of an impaired executive network. Differences in sample stratification, patient symptomatology, and dopaminergic medication levels were identified as influential factors in the attentional results across studies. CONCLUSION: Although sparse, the existing evidence indicates that the ANT is a viable option for measuring attention in PD; it can also be harnessed to explore the impact of symptoms and medications on attentional networks in PD and LBD groups.

Caring for a loved one with Parkinson's disease: the role of coping styles and relationship quality.

OBJECTIVE: Informal carers play an essential role in the care of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). This role, however, is often fraught with difficulties, including emotional, physical, and financial. Coping styles and relationship quality have been hypothesized to influence the impact of stressors. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between carers' coping style, relationship quality, and carer burden. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-nine PD patient carer dyads were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed self-rated questionnaires including the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Zarit Burden Interview, and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory. RESULTS: Correlational analyses found significant and positive correlation between carer burden and all three coping styles (problem-focused, emotion-focused, and dysfunctional). There was also a moderate association between carers' perceived relationship quality and satisfaction and carer burden. Regression analyses found that carer's gender, severity of PD, relationship quality, emotion-focused, and dysfunctional coping styles did not predict carer burden. Conversely, problem-focused coping style predicted carer burden. CONCLUSION: The results highlight that there is no perfect way to react and care for a loved one and serves as important information for practitioners who design and implement interventions.

Designing Virtual Reality Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety in Older Adults Living with Parkinson's Disease: Integrating Literature for Scoping.

Objective: This review integrates literature to discuss the potential use of virtual reality (VR) in treatment of anxiety in Parkinson's disease (PD) and inform next steps.Methods: A systematic search was performed to identify studies of VR use in PD, using four databases. Data were reported in accordance to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyzes extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).Results: Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria with four VR studies from the same study group directly assessing the effects of anxiety on motor symptoms in PD. Primary studies implementing a VR protocol in PD identified focus areas of understanding and alleviating freezing of gait (FOG), balance training, and cognitive and motor rehabilitation, and informed design considerations.Conclusion: VR in PD studies suggested established feasibility. With appropriate design considerations, a VR based protocol could improve anxiety outcomes in PD.Clinical implications: VR in PD provides control of a patient's field of view, which can be exploited to induce specific responses, provide visual feedback, analysis of patient actions, and introduce safe challenges in the context of training. VR assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tailored to suit subtypes of anxiety disorders in PD have the potential to improve the efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy in PD.

Feasibility of Group-Based Multiple Virtual Reality Sessions to Reduce Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Persons Living in Residential Aged Care.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of using group-based fully immersive virtual reality (VR) across multiple sessions to reduce behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSs), including depression, anxiety, and agitated behaviors, in cognitively diverse aged care residents. DESIGN: A 6-session feasibility trial was conducted within a residential aged care facility using convenience sampling to recruit N = 25 residents of varying cognitive capacity. Groups of 5 residents viewed 360-degree videos on a wireless head-mounted display to provide fully immersive VR experiences. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Half of the participants recruited from the 160-bed facility had a diagnosis of dementia (48%), whereas assessment with the Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale for cognitive impairment revealed that 64% experienced cognitive impairment (mild 20%, moderate 16%, and severe 28%). Additionally, 32% of participants had an existing anxiety or depression diagnosis. MEASURES: The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item, and Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory-Short were used to assess changes in persisting BPS pre- to postintervention period. The Person-Environment Apathy Rating apathy subscale, Observed Emotions Rating Scale, and a visual analog scale (Smileometer) were used to assess immediate mood responses from residents at every VR session. VR tolerability and resident feedback was also recorded. RESULTS: Pleasure (z = -5.892, P < .001) and general alertness (z = -2.455, P = .014) of participants improved at VR sessions, whereas apathy diminished (z = -5.275, P < .001). Compared to baseline, post-intervention depression was significantly lowered (z = -2.60, P = .009), whereas agitation increased (z = -2.98, P = .003). No significant changes in anxiety were observed. The quality of 360-degree videos and the device used did not induce any major VR-related negative side effects. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Overall group-based VR reduced depressive symptoms and apathy, and induced a positive emotional response in most residents, with few observed side effects. Results indicate feasibility of group-based VR technological innovation within RAC.