Interpersonal Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Depression in Parkinson's Disease: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

BackgroundDepression is a common nonmotor complication in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of first‐line psychological therapies for depression in this patient population.ObjectivesThis randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), an empirically validated intervention for depression that focuses on the bidirectional relationship between mood disturbance and interpersonal and social stressors. A secondary aim was to assess maintenance of treatment gains at 6‐month follow‐up.MethodsParticipants with PD stages I to III and a comorbid depressive disorder were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of IPT (n = 32) or supportive therapy (ST) (n = 31), our active control intervention. The primary outcome was the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D) administered blindly by telephone. Secondary outcomes included self‐report depression and anxiety, quality of life, clinician‐rated motor symptom, interpersonal relationships, and attachment style.ResultsIPT compared to ST resulted in a greater reduction in posttreatment HAM‐D scores (least square mean difference = −3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −6.19 to −1.34, P = 0.003) and was associated with a greater odds of meeting remission (odds ratio = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.10–9.51, P = 0.034). The advantage of IPT over ST on HAM‐D scores and remission rates was not sustained at the 6‐month follow‐up. Both treatments improved self‐report depression, anxiety, quality of life, and aspects of interpersonal functioning.ConclusionsThis trial demonstrates the benefits of acute treatment with IPT in reducing depressive symptoms in PD. Clinicians should consider psychotherapy, alone or in combination with medication, as an important treatment option for PD depression. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.