Self-Managed Intervention for Anxiety in Parkinson's Disease

This study is being conducted to determine the feasibility and acceptability of using focused
breathing as a self managed, non-pharmacologic intervention for anxiety experienced by those
with Parkinson's disease. Participants meeting eligibility criteria will be randomized to
either an intervention or control group. Those in the intervention group will be taught how
to perform focused breathing and asked to practice it twice daily for six weeks for a minimum
of four minutes each time. Anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep, self-efficacy and quality of
life with be measured in participants in both the intervention group before beginning to
practice focused breathing as well as in the control group. After six weeks of practice the
same measurements will be collected from the intervention group. Additionally, intervention
participants will participate in a brief interview at the end of their six weeks of practice.
Control group participants will be taught how to perform focused breathing six weeks at the
end of a six week wait-period, following collection of data using the aforementioned
measures..

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

- Hoehn & Yahr I, II, & III

- Self report or clinical diagnosis of anxiety

- Ability to speak and read English

Exclusion Criteria:

- Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores less than 26, indicating cognitive impairment

- Persons under the age of 18 are excluded from this study