Empathy and (Self-)Compassion in Parkinson's Disease Patients and Caregivers
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to improve quality of life in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients by increasing their empathy and their (self-)compassion. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the level of quality of life in PD patients and caregivers improve after empathy/(self-)compassion training? Participants will be delivered a 6-week empathy and compassion training (mindfulness, writing and poetry exercises addressing the cognitive, emotional, motivational and behavioural components of (self-)compassion) and will also be asked to answer questionnaires before and after the training
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of PD * Hoehn and Yahr scale, stage ≤ 3 * Mini Mental State Examination with a score ≥ 26 * Able to give informed consent as documented by signature * At least, secondary school education * To have a regular caregiver at home Exclusion Criteria: * Any medical condition that is not PD, such as drug induced parkinsonism * Major depression, dysthymia, or according to DSM-V * Other neurological or psychiatric diseases * Neuropsychological scores compatible with the diagnosis of early dementia * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, etc For CAREGIVERS: Inclusion criteria * Taking care of the patient on a regular basis, i.e., at least 3 days per week * Being caregiver of the patients for at least 3 months * At least, secondary school education * Written informed consent