Efficacy and Feasibility of Remote Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lisa Hoffman; Nicholas D Burt; Nicholas R Piniella; Madison Baker; Nicole Volino; Saeed Yasin; Min-Kyung Jung; Adena Leder; Amber Sousa

doi:10.1155/2023/6645554

Efficacy and Feasibility of Remote Cognitive Remediation Therapy in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Parkinsons Dis. 2023 Jun 1:2023:6645554. doi: 10.1155/2023/6645554. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Lisa Hoffman¹, Nicholas D Burt², Nicholas R Piniella², Madison Baker², Nicole Volino², Saeed Yasin², Min-Kyung Jung³, Adena Leder⁴, Amber Sousa⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Family Medicine, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
² New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
³ Department of Research, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA.

Abstract

Background: Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) such as cognitive impairment are common and decrease patient quality of life and daily functioning. While no pharmacological treatments have effectively alleviated these symptoms to date, non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) and physical exercise have both been shown to improve cognitive function and quality of life in people with PD.

Objective: This study aims to determine the feasibility and impact of remote CRT on cognitive function and quality of life in patients with PD participating in an organized group exercise program.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects with PD recruited from Rock Steady Boxing (RSB), a non-contact group exercise program, were evaluated using standard neuropsychological and quality of life measures and randomized to the control or intervention group. The intervention group attended online CRT sessions for one hour, twice a week for 10 weeks, engaging in multi-domain cognitive exercises and group discussion.

Results: Twenty-one subjects completed the study and were reevaluated. Comparing groups over time, the control group (n = 10) saw a decline in overall cognitive performance that trended towards significance (p = 0.05) and a statistically significant decrease in delayed memory (p = 0.010) and self-reported cognition (p = 0.011). Neither of these findings were seen in the intervention group (n = 11), which overwhelmingly enjoyed the CRT sessions and attested to subjective improvements in their daily lives.

Conclusions: This randomized controlled pilot study suggests that remote CRT for PD patients is feasible, enjoyable, and may help slow the progression of cognitive decline. Further trials are warranted to determine the longitudinal effects of such a program.