Treatment Protocol for PD Fatigue Management With CBT
Condition: Parkinson Disease
MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease; Fatigue
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Fatigue affects more than half of people living with Parkinson's disease. Despite its
      prevalence, treatment options remain limited. To improve patient outcome, a group treatment
      protocol was developed for PD fatigue management primarily using cognitive behavioral
      therapy. The program focuses on assisting individuals with PD who experience fatigue to
      establish proper sleep hygiene habits and a physical exercise routine to meet the end goal of
      reducing fatigue. The aim of the group is to change negative thoughts and behavior regarding
      changing sleep hygiene habits and exercise behavior into positive ones. This is a feasibility
      project that aims to explore the feasibility of this protocol as well as to produce a
      treatment protocol that is able to be replicated by other occupational therapists and health
      professionals who serve the PD population.
    

Detailed description: 
      PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the United States. Although PD is
      typically classified as a movement disorder, the non-motor symptoms (NMS) also have a
      negative impact on quality of life. Among the NMS, fatigue is one of the most reported and
      bothersome symptoms, even at the early stage of the disease. Currently there are not any
      clear pharmacological or rehabilitative recommendations for managing PD related fatigue.

      The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a developed
      treatment protocol specifically adapted to the Parkinson's population to address fatigue
      symptoms based on the best available evidence. This is a one-group, pre-post, feasibility
      study. It is hypothesized that an establishment of a proper sleep hygiene routine and a
      moderate- to intensive-exercise routine three times a week will decrease Parkinson's disease
      (PD) related fatigue and improve health-related quality of life. The treatment protocol
      focuses on assisting individuals with PD experiencing fatigue to improve sleep hygiene habits
      and establish physical exercise routine using cognitive behavioral therapy in a group format.
      Through this study, the designed program will be evaluated to determine if it will decrease
      self-perceived fatigue level and to improve health-related quality of life among community
      dwelling people with PD.
    

Intervention name(s): CBT group
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Each interested individual will complete eligibility screening, consent form, and pre-intervention assessment. Demographic information such as gender, age, and number of years since diagnosis of PD will be collected. This investigator will implement the treatment program by meeting with the participants in groups, once a week, for six weeks. Group meetings will encourage interaction and support among group participants. Program content includes encouraging physical exercise with higher intensity, changing poor sleeping hygiene habits, stress management, and encouraging utilization of social support.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: fatigue; cognitive behavioral therapy