Psycho-physical interactions in Parkinson’s Disease: Protocol for a prospective observational cohort study

by Philip Hodgson, Alastair Jordan, Charikleia Sinani, Divine Charura

Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) often experience not only physical symptoms but also a higher prevalence of psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and psychotic symptoms, compared to the general population. The relationship between these physical and psychological symptoms remains poorly understood, particularly in relation to commonly used measures of physical function and a wider variety of psychological symptoms. Investigating this link is essential for optimising patient care. This cohort study is registered with OSF (https://osf.io/c7tvd).

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the association between physical and psychological symptoms in PD. We will focus specifically on measures of physical function such as balance and mobility, assess the similarities between physiotherapist and participant-rated measures, and monitor changes over time.

This cohort study plans to recruit 30 participants with PD, who will be monitored over a 12-month period. Data will be collected at baseline and completion, providing two data points per participant. Selected outcome measures will include physical function (objective measures), non-motor symptoms, participants perceived function, and engagement in physical activity. Correlations between outcomes will be analysed, and multivariate regression modelling may be employed for time-series analysis to evaluate how relationships change over time. Descriptive summaries of all outcomes will be presented in tables.

Ethical approval for this study was obtained on 15^th July 2024, with participant recruitment scheduled to begin in October 2024. Data collection is expected to conclude by August 2026, with final results anticipated within six months of study completion.

This study will be the first to monitor this specific set of physical and psychological outcomes over time in individuals with PD. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the relationship between these symptoms, informing future research and potentially leading to larger-scale, multi-site studies conducted over extended assessment periods.