empathy and compassion training for Parkinson's (NCT07097298)
Improve patient mood with compassion
- Trial ID
- NCT07097298
- Official Title
- Empathy and (Self-)Compassion to Improve the Quality of Life of Parkinson's Disease Patients and Caregivers: an Exploratory Study
- Goal
- Improve patient mood with compassion
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Alain Kaelin
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 30 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease(PD)
- Interventions
- empathy and compassion training
Summary For Families
Aims to boost quality of life for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers by teaching empathy and self-compassion skills to reduce stress, improve emotional connection, and help with day-to-day coping. Participants and their regular caregivers take part in structured training that uses practical exercises like perspective-taking, kind self-talk, and emotion-regulation techniques, so it changes how people respond to stress and caregiving strain rather than using a drug. Looking for people aged 50 to 80 with Parkinson's at Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 or lower, able to consent with an MMSE score of 26 or higher and at least secondary education, who have a regular caregiver at home; caregivers must provide care at least 3 days per week for at least 3 months and also have at least secondary education. This is a small exploratory trial enrolling about 30 pairs, aimed at testing feasibility and early signals of benefit.
Locations
- Istituto di Neuroscienze Cliniche della Svizzera Italiana, EOC, Lugano, Switzerland
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying empathy and compassion training. Aims to boost quality of life for people with Parkinson's and their caregivers by teaching empathy and self-compassion skills to reduce stress, improve emotional connection, and help with day-to-day coping. Participants and their regular caregivers take part in structured training that uses practical exercises like perspective-taking, kind self-talk, and emotion-regulation techniques, so it changes how people respond to stress and caregiving strain rather than using a drug. Looking for people aged 50 to 80 with Parkinson's at Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 or lower, able to consent with an MMSE score of 26 or higher and at least secondary education, who have a regular caregiver at home; caregivers must provide care at least 3 days per week for at least 3 months and also have at least secondary education. This is a small exploratory trial enrolling about 30 pairs, aimed at testing feasibility and early signals of benefit.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be between 50 Years and 80 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- You are never charged a fee to join a legitimate clinical trial, and the study treatment and study-specific tests are provided by the trial sponsor at no charge. In the US, routine care you would receive anyway can still be billed to you or your insurance; coverage rules differ by country, and trials in the UK and Canada usually run through public health systems. Travel, parking, and time are real costs, and some trials reimburse them while others do not. Before enrolling, ask the study coordinator to explain in writing what is and is not covered.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 1 year and 8 months.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.
- Will I get a placebo in this trial?
- Everyone in this trial receives the experimental treatment. There is no placebo group.
- How many visits does this trial involve?
- 1 session at the beginning and 1 session at the end, with exercises to do at home for 6 weeks.
- What procedures are involved in this trial?
- Based on the protocol, this trial involves: Questionnaires & surveys (non-invasive). Confirm the full schedule with the study coordinator.