CBT group intervention for depression, anxiety, and motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Preliminary findings

Nonpharmacological therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for the treatment of non-motor symptoms (NMS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) have received only little attention. Promising results derive from a few studies that examined the efficacy of individual CBT for depression and anxiety in Parkinson's disease. To date no trial has evaluated the utility of CBT group for NMS in Parkinson's disease. The aim of the present preliminary study was to observe whether CBT group therapy is useful for both NMS and motor symptoms (MS) in patients affected by Parkinson's disease. The results suggested that CBT group was effective in treating depression and anxiety symptoms and can reduce the severity of MS in patients suffering from PD.