Fear-related psychological experiences in people with Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND: Fear is a multifaceted and pervasive phenomenon among people with Parkinson's disease. Although some qualitative studies have explored fear-related psychological experiences in this population, there remains a lack of comprehensive integration of these insights. This study aimed to synthesize existing qualitative research on fear-related emotional experiences in people with Parkinson's disease, and to provide a theoretical basis for developing effective psychological interventions in clinical practice. METHODS: A comprehensive computer-based search was conducted across 11 databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed, to identify relevant qualitative studies. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using the 2020 Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. A thematic synthesis approach was then employed to synthesize the findings. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included in the systematic review. Three themes related to fear-related psychological experiences in people with Parkinson's disease were identified: (1) multidimensional manifestations, (2) triggering contexts, and (3) coping strategies, comprising 12 categories in total. CONCLUSIONS: Fear in people with Parkinson's disease is a multifaceted phenomenon that spans physical, psychological, and social domains. These fear experiences arise from the interaction of multiple factors, and individuals show marked differences in their responses and coping strategies, resulting in diverse patterns of psychological adaptation. The findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to recognize fear as a central element of the Parkinson's disease experience and to deliver personalized support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (Registration No. CRD420251246323).