Made of stone: a view of Parkinson 'off' periods.
Parkinson's disease is a neurological condition, managed symptomatically by medications aimed at the underlying dopaminergic deficit. After several years of treatment, some sufferers experience marked fluctuations in symptom control, including akinetic or 'off' periods. A sample of 15 Parkinson disease sufferers who experienced off periods participated in a small-scale study examining their experience and the coping strategies used. There was a trend for those experiencing significant levels of distress to make more frequent use of 'attempted activity' coping strategies, responses that may inadvertently exacerbate distress. Clinical implications for adjuvant psychological techniques are discussed.
Matson
Neil
N
Department of Clinical Psychology, North & East Devon Partnership NHS Trust, UK.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents