Trial results for a study investigating Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in Parkinson's Disease were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-11-18. The study enrolled 107 participants.
Background
Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by motor symptoms, but non-motor symptoms such as anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, and reduced quality of life are also prevalent and significantly impact patients. Current treatments largely focus on managing motor symptoms. Non-pharmacological interventions like Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) are explored for their potential to address these non-motor aspects by improving stress management, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Understanding the efficacy of such interventions is crucial for providing comprehensive care to individuals with Parkinson's Disease.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 107 participants with Parkinson's Disease. The trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to improve quality of life, cognition, and mood, and to determine the longevity of the treatment response. The intervention group received Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), while the comparator group received Psychoeducational Supportive Care (PSC).
Key results
The trial reported several key measurements comparing the MBSR and Psychoeducational Supportive Care (PSC) groups:
- Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (change score):
- The MBSR group showed a mean change score of -1.03 (Standard Deviation 9.71).
- The PSC group showed a mean change score of -3.04 (Standard Deviation 7.94).
- Matrix Reasoning Test (change score):
- The MBSR group showed a mean change score of 0.154 (Standard Deviation 6.54).
- The PSC group showed a mean change score of 1.04 (Standard Deviation 5.92).
- State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (change score):
- The MBSR group showed a mean change score of -1.40 (Standard Deviation 4.51).
- The PSC group showed a mean change score of -1.84 (Standard Deviation 5.28).
Key analyses using Mixed Models Analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the MBSR and PSC groups for the measured outcomes. A mean difference (Final Values) of 1.85 was observed with a p-value of 0.34. Another analysis showed a mean difference (Final Values) of -1.03 with a p-value of 0.41. A third analysis reported a mean difference (Final Values) of 0.398 with a p-value of 0.71.
What this means
The results suggest that Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) did not demonstrate a statistically significant advantage over psychoeducational supportive care in improving quality of life, cognition, or mood in individuals with Parkinson's Disease. While both interventions showed some changes in outcome measures, the lack of significant differences between the groups indicates that a supportive care approach may offer comparable benefits for these aspects. This finding can help clinicians and patients consider various non-pharmacological strategies for managing non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's Disease.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT03998462, titled "Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Parkinson's Disease: A Longitudinal Study", were posted on 2025-11-18 on clinicaltrials.gov.