Learn to Meditate: An Innovative Program Teaching Mind-body Strategies to People with Parkinson’s Disease
Sarah Mulukutla1, Kristina Zawaly1, Mark Reed2, Hwai Ooi3, Harini Sarva3
1Mindful Neurology, PLLC, 2California Northstate University College of Medicine, 3Weill Cornell Medical Center Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Institute
Objective:
To evaluate feasibility of an online program teaching meditation, relaxation strategies, and kinesthetic motor imagery to people with Parkinson's disease (PwP).
Background:
Mind-body techniques such as progressive relaxation, motor imagery and mindfulness may confer benefit to management of Parkinson’s motor and non-motor symptoms. There is no formal program teaching these strategies to patients within Movement Disorder Centers.
Design/Methods:
A 6-week training program called "Learn to Meditate" was developed by Mindful Neurology, PLLC in partnership with Weill Cornell Movement Disorders Institute. Training was delivered via weekly Zoom sessions; participants received hand-outs to facilitate home meditation practice in between Zoom classes. Enrollment fee was $295, which was waived for low-income PwP, and care partners/family members could participate without additional fee. The Davis Phinney Foundation released a webinar about the initiative in Spring 2023, which was the primary source of advertising. The program was run as a “Workshop” which could support national participation. A survey consisting of program review (i.e. quality assurance data) and rating scales was distributed before and after completion of the program.
Results:
The course ran from June–July 2023. 37 PwP and 9 care partners enrolled, representing 13 US states and 4 countries. 15 PwP completed pre- and post-course rating scales. Preliminary analysis with Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test showed statistically significant improvement in PDQ-8 (p<0.003), GAD-7 (p<0.003), and Athens Sleep Index (p<0.041). Descriptive feedback referenced a sense of empowerment and increased clarity about meditation. Numerous anecdotes regarding control of motor symptoms were provided.
Conclusions:
Our virtual mind-body training program had positive impact on QOL, sleep quality, and anxiety, although a selection bias is present in this sample. Robust registration indicates interest in this type of programming. Use of symptom trackers, UPDRS evaluations, and a randomized, controlled design are needed to better quantify impact of the program and evaluate for generalizability.