A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy, Cognitive Rehabilitation Exercises, and Pharmacotherapy in Reducing Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Patients

Background & Objectives: This study aimed to examine the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness therapy, cognitive rehabilitation exercises, and drug therapy in addressing non-motor symptoms among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Materials & Methods: This applied research, employing an experimental design, utilized a single-factor model with two levels and three groups analyzed through a mixed- method approach. The study population included Parkinson’s patients in Shiraz, and the sample was selected purposively based on Cohen’s (1986) experimental research sample size table, comprising 18 participants per group including mindfulness, pharmacotherapy (Escitalopram) as control and cognitive rehabilitation, totaling 54 participants. Instruments used for the assessment and diagnosis of disorders, as conducted by a clinical specialist, included the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), SCID-5-CV, MMSE (to screen for dementia), and the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for Parkinson’s Patients (NMSS). Results: The findings confirmed the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy and cognitive rehabilitation in mitigating non-motor symptoms, including cardiovascular issues, sleep disturbances, fatigue, mood and cognitive impairments, perceptual problems and hallucinations, attention and memory deficits, and dysfunctions in the digestive, urinary, and sexual systems, along with other miscellaneous conditions (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended that Parkinson’s care centers implement mindfulness therapy and cognitive rehabilitation exercises to enhance the aforementioned components, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of PD patients.