Parkinson's-related dementia iCST (Focus Groups & Manual Development)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychosocial Therapy to Benefit Patients with Parkinson’s-related Dementia: A Feasibility and Exploratory Pilot Study (Focus Groups and manual development).
IRAS ID
161556
Contact name
Lynne Macrae
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Increasing the NHS availability and the evidence-base for psychosocial therapies for dementia is a key objective of the National Dementia Strategy (2009) and other national dementia policy drivers. However there is almost no evidence to support their use in people with more complex forms of dementia such as PDD and DLB. Only very limited drug-based treatments are available for these groups which comprise 7-10% of the dementia population. Without adequate management, the risk of being admitted to care is very high. Our PPI and PD expert consultees support the need to extend psychosocial therapies to those with PDD/DLB and there is great need for a non-drug-based therapy.
We have identified a type of psychosocial therapy, individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) that can form the basis of a novel PDD/DLB-specific non-drug intervention. There is evidence that CST is a cost-effective, well-tolerated, easily trained therapy for people with dementia and is already in widespread use in the NHS. It is based on the principle that stimulating engagement in cognitive and social activity enhances cognitive function and quality of life. To date, the evidence for this therapy in PDD/DLB is negligible (Hindle et al, 2013).
In its present form, CST is not suitable for those with dementias such as PDD/DLB due to the added complexity of their symptoms which includes frequent confusional episodes, marked hallucinations and delusions, high rates of apathy, varying motor symptoms and dependency on carers due to physical disability. We intend to conduct focus groups with movement disorder professionals, carers of and patients with PDD/DLB, to find out how we can best tailor iCST to individuals with complicated movement disorders, in addition to symptoms of dementia. We will then adapt the therapy manuals in preparation for a clinical trial.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0024
Date of REC Opinion
2 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion