The effect of mindfulness meditation on impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K13708
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 10030:Clinical psychology-related
• Research Institution: Wakayama Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Koh Jinsoo 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (20554629)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: パーキンソン病 / マインドフルネス / 衝動制御障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mindfulness meditation on impulse control disorders (such as pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, binge eating, and hypersexuality), which are one of the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Firstly, we created and validated the Japanese version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale (QUIP-RS). Next, we conducted a single-group pilot trial of mindfulness meditation for patients with PD, demonstrating that an 8-week mindfulness meditation program significantly reduced impulsivity and impulse control disorders. In this trial, functional MRI analysis showed changes in functional connectivity. Based on these results, we have initiated a phase 3 randomized controlled trial, and patient enrollment is ongoing.

Free Research Field

臨床神経学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

パーキンソン病の衝動制御障害は、発症時には著しいQOL低下を来すものであるが、現在その治療法が存在しないことが問題となっている。マインドフルネス瞑想は、安価で誰でも簡易にできるものであり、それが治療法のない衝動制御障害の治療として利用できることが示すことができれば、非常に有用な知見となる。本研究期間中は第3相試験の終了まではできなかったが、今後継続して上記を証明する予定である。