Psychological treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with Parkinson's disease: A pilot program

INTERVENTION: A 1 x 1 hour session per week for 10 weeks manualised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program will be delivered individually with participants with Parkinson's disease and their carers over the telephone.The program will be delivered by Clinical Psychologists and Clinical Psychology registrars, supervised by the Chief Investigators to ensure treatment adherence. CONDITION: Anxiety Depression Parkinson's disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in patient anxiety as assessed by the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory Change in patient depression assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (15 item) Change in patient quality of life as assessed by the World Health Organisation Quality of Life scale (short form) ‐ WHOQOL‐BRE SECONDARY OUTCOME: Change in Caregiver anxiety as assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (21 item) Change in Caregiver depression as assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (21 item) Change in Caregiver stress as assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (21 item) Change in caregiver stress as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (21 items) Change in carer anxiety as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (21 item) Change in carer depression as measured by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress scales (21 item) Change in carer distress as assessed by the Zarit Caregiver Inventory (Short Form) Change in cargiver burden as measured by Zarit Caregiver Inventory (Short Form) Change in patient anxiety as assessed by the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory Change in patient depression assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (15 item) Change in patient quality of life as assessed by the World Health Organisation Quality of Life scale (short form) ‐ WHOQOL‐BRE INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with Parkinson's disease and their primary carer will be recruited. Eligibility criteria will include aged 50 years or over, the presence of patient reported clinically significant anxiety symptoms (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory > 6) and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale ‐15 scores > 5). Use of psychiatric medication will be required to be stabilised one month prior to study entry. Other than being the carer or spouse of the participant with Parkinson’s disease, and being over the age of 18 years, no other inclusion criteria are required.