The Impact of Participation in the Parkinson's Pals Program on Psychosocial Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease: An Unblinded Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND: Persons with Parkinson's disease (pwPD) frequently experience psychosocial symptoms that are inadequately addressed by traditional clinical approaches. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of Parkinson's Pals, a student-led virtual, intergenerational program, on psychosocial symptoms in pwPD and student knowledge. METHODS: PwPD were paired with undergraduates for eight virtual meetings over four months. Scores on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS), Kissane Demoralization Scale (DS), Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Psychosocial Functioning (SCOPA-PS), Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39), and student knowledge self-assessments were compared before and after program participation. RESULTS: Twenty-five pwPD-student pairs participated. There was significant improvement in median total UCLA-LS (p = 0.031) and DS (p < 0.001) scores but not SCOPA-PS or PDQ-39 scores (p > 0.05). Students also reported improved familiarity with PD (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in Parkinson's Pals was feasible, reduced loneliness and demoralization in pwPD, and enhanced student education. Further studies are needed to explore the psychosocial benefits of intergenerational programs for pwPD.