Cognitive-behavioral therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease and comorbid major depressive disorder.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Depression has been recognized as a common feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), and is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in PD patients. OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to determine whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in the treatment of depression within the context of PD (dPD). METHOD: The authors enrolled 8 depressed PD patients into an open treatment study of 12 weeks of individual CBT treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant linear decrease in mean Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (17-item) scores over Weeks 0 to 12, and 57% of patients (4/7) met criteria for remission at endpoint. CONCLUSION: This uncontrolled study suggests that CBT may be effective in treating dPD and may be an alternative or adjunct to pharmacological treatment.