Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression in persons with Parkinson's disease (PwPD), but there are significant barriers preventing PwPD from receiving care in person. Telehealth CBT circumvents many of these barriers. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of telehealth transdiagnostic CBT intervention for depression in PwPD. METHODS: Twelve PwPD with Major Depressive Disorder were enrolled, half randomly assigned to the treatment-immediate condition (TI) and half to the waitlist control condition (WLC). TI and WLC participants received 12 CBT sessions and assessments before treatment, immediately after treatment, and at the 6-week follow-up. RESULTS: The intervention was efficacious for treating depression in PwPD, with secondary benefits to anxiety, apathy, learning, memory, and quality of life. Improvements were largely maintained at follow-up. The intervention was highly feasible and acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth transdiagnostic CBT was an effective intervention for PwPD with depression.