Addressing mental health through social support for people with Parkinson's Disease : a doctoral capstone on program development
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Importance People with Parkinson’s Disease (PwPD) commonly experience loneliness and diminished social participation, which are strongly correlated with declines in quality of life (QoL) and overall mental well-being. These factors can exacerbate Parkinson’s Disease (PD) symptoms and accelerate disease progression. While plenty of research exists on these factors, there is minimal research on interventions or programs developed to address this issue. Objective The study aims to evaluate if increased participation in social events with fellow PwPD can lead to measurable improvements in mental health and social engagement outcomes. Methods Participants are individuals diagnosed with PD from the Parkinson’s Exercise and Wellness Center (PEWC) in Kansas City, KS. A qualitative pre-intervention survey was completed at participants’ first social outing, measuring levels of loneliness, social engagement frequency, perceived mental health, expectations for the program, and existing social support systems. Participants were encouraged to attend events based on a provided monthly calendar. A qualitative post-intervention survey was distributed at the end, assessing the same metrics as the pre-intervention survey, with additional questions evaluating the impact of the events on participants’ sense of community and overall well-being. Results Of 38 total participants, five PwPD attended four or more outings and showed slight improvements in social engagement and mental health, but changes in loneliness were inconsistent. Less frequent attendees generally saw fewer or no improvements in these areas. Participants who reported having poorer mental health status in the pre-intervention survey attended fewer outings than those who reported higher mental health status. Participants who came to one social event demonstrated no difference in feelings of loneliness than those who attended more outings. Conclusion Social outings can enhance engagement and mental health for PwPD, making them a valuable component of OT interventions. Addressing barriers like motivation and scheduling can improve participation, suggesting the need for flexible, client-centered approaches in therapy. Personalized strategies for managing loneliness and mental health are essential to optimize outcomes for PwPD in social interventions.
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OTD