¶ Social Behaviors and Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease (NCT06385184)
NCT Number: NCT06385184
Official Title: Social Behaviors and Quality of Life in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease
Study Type: Observational (Case-Control)
Status: Recruiting
Study Start Date: March 2024
Primary Completion: February 2026
Principal Investigator: TBD — George Washington University
¶ Background and Rationale
Social behaviors and quality of life are critically intertwined in Parkinson's disease. Motor symptoms, non-motor features (depression, anxiety, cognitive changes), and social stigma can significantly alter social interactions, leading to social withdrawal, isolation, and reduced quality of life. Understanding how social behaviors evolve with PD progression and how they correlate with quality of life metrics is essential for developing comprehensive care strategies.
To evaluate the relationship between social behaviors and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease compared to age-matched healthy controls.
- Assess the impact of disease duration on social behavior patterns
- Evaluate the correlation between motor symptom severity and social participation
- Examine the role of non-motor symptoms (depression, anxiety, apathy) on social behaviors
- Identify demographic and clinical factors associated with social isolation in PD
- Design: Case-control observational study
- Participants: Individuals with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (n≈150) and healthy age/sex-matched controls (n≈75)
- Duration: Single study visit with validated questionnaires
- Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (UK Brain Bank criteria)
- Age 50-85 years
- H&Y stage I-III
- Stable PD medications for at least 4 weeks
- Able to complete questionnaires independently or with assistance
- Diagnosis of atypical parkinsonism (PSP, MSA, CBS)
- Severe cognitive impairment (MoCA <18)
- Active psychiatric disorder requiring current treatment adjustment
- History of substance abuse
Motor Assessment:
- Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III
- Hoehn and Yahr staging
- Timed Up and Go test
Quality of Life Measures:
- Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39)
- SF-36 Health Survey
Social Behavior Measures:
- Social Adjustment Scale (SAS)
- Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ)
- UCLA Loneliness Scale
Non-Motor Assessment:
- Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
- Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES)
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Other:
- Demographic questionnaire
- Medical history review
- Current medication inventory
- Lead Site: George Washington University, Department of Neurology, Washington, DC
- Baseline social behavior profiles for PD patients vs. controls
- Correlation analysis between motor symptoms and social participation
- Identification of modifiable factors affecting social isolation in PD
- Recommendations for psychosocial interventions to improve QoL
Social isolation in Parkinson's disease is associated with:
- Faster motor progression
- Higher depression and anxiety rates
- Reduced medication adherence
- Lower overall quality of life
This study will inform the development of targeted social intervention programs for PD patients, potentially improving outcomes beyond pharmacological management.