Shital P Shah1, Gretchen L Glenn2, Eileen M Hummel2, Jane M Hamilton3, Rebecca R Martine2, John E Duda1, Jayne R Wilkinson4. 1. Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, Mail Stop #127, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 300 S. 9th Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. 2. Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, Mail Stop #127, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. 3. Partners on the Path, LLC, 205 Plymouth Road, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437, USA. 4. Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, 3900 Woodland Ave, Mail Stop #127, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 300 S. 9th Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Electronic address: jayne.wilkinson@va.gov.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disease that typically affects the geriatric population and requires a caregiver. Although caregiver burden reduces quality of life of the caregiver, support groups for caregivers have not been studied. Offering a tele-support group to PD caregivers would be an innovative approach to extending a novel resource. METHODS: A single-center pilot study was conducted, enrolling caregivers in an 8-week tele-support group program. Mood state and caregiver burden were assessed at baseline and conclusion of the program using self-report questionnaires. Qualitative feedback was obtained at the conclusion of the program. RESULTS: Seven female spouse caregivers enrolled; 86% completed the program. Although no statistically significant changes in questionnaire scores were found, the mean Geriatric Depression Scale decreased from 4.2 to 3 and qualitative feedback was universally positive. CONCLUSIONS: The use of tele-support groups for PD caregivers is a feasible and innovative resource to address caregiver burden. Published by Elsevier Inc.
BACKGROUND:Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disease that typically affects the geriatric population and requires a caregiver. Although caregiver burden reduces quality of life of the caregiver, support groups for caregivers have not been studied. Offering a tele-support group to PD caregivers would be an innovative approach to extending a novel resource. METHODS: A single-center pilot study was conducted, enrolling caregivers in an 8-week tele-support group program. Mood state and caregiver burden were assessed at baseline and conclusion of the program using self-report questionnaires. Qualitative feedback was obtained at the conclusion of the program. RESULTS: Seven female spouse caregivers enrolled; 86% completed the program. Although no statistically significant changes in questionnaire scores were found, the mean Geriatric Depression Scale decreased from 4.2 to 3 and qualitative feedback was universally positive. CONCLUSIONS: The use of tele-support groups for PD caregivers is a feasible and innovative resource to address caregiver burden. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Entities:
Keywords:
Caregiver; Parkinson's disease; Support group; Telehealth; Telemedicine
Authors: Dara L LoBuono; Kyla S Shea; Alison Tovar; Skye N Leedahl; Leslie Mahler; Furong Xu; Ingrid E Lofgren Journal: Health Sci Rep Date: 2021-11-11
Authors: Catharina Muente; Ann-Kristin Folkerts; Elke Kalbe; Franziska Thieken; Laura-Elisa Assmann; Maria Widritzki; Carsten Eggers; David Pedrosa; Marcel Wilhelm Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2022-03-26