Empathy and (Self-)Compassion to Improve the Quality of Life of Parkinson's Disease Patients and Caregivers: an Exploratory Study
The goal of this clinical trial is to improve quality of life in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients by increasing their empathy and their (self-)compassion. The main question it aims to answer is: Does the level of quality of life in PD patients and caregivers improve after empathy/(self-)compassion training? Participants will be delivered a 6-week empathy and compassion training (mindfulness, writing and poetry exercises addressing the cognitive, emotional, motivational and behavioural components of (self-)compassion) and will also be asked to answer questionnaires before and after the training
• Diagnosis of PD
• Hoehn and Yahr scale, stage ≤ 3
• Mini Mental State Examination with a score ≥ 26
• Able to give informed consent as documented by signature
• At least, secondary school education
• To have a regular caregiver at home
• Taking care of the patient on a regular basis, i.e., at least 3 days per week
• Being caregiver of the patients for at least 3 months
• At least, secondary school education
• Written informed consent