Relaxation Guided Imagery for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Relaxation Guided Imagery for Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease patients may have pronounced ON-OFF motor fluctuations. These motor
 fluctuations are currently treated with medication and surgery, which are limited by their
 efficacy and side effects. Our study aims to determine whether relaxation guided imagery can
 alleviate the OFF state of PD patients and therefore can be used as an adjunct to
 conventional medication.
Parkinson's disease patients with pronounced ON-OFF motor fluctuations without dementia will
 participate in this study aimed to examine a possible beneficial effect of relaxation guided
 imagery on motor fluctuations. The study will include a baseline period two sessions of
 relaxation and a follow-up period. The relaxation sessions will be conducted individually. In
 one session patients will hear relaxing music and in the second they will undergo relaxation
 guided imagery. After each relaxation session patients will receive a CD with either relaxing
 music or RGI to listen to at home. They will be asked to fill out a diary at baseline and
 after each session. Before and after each relaxation session patients will be examined
 according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the examination will be
 videotaped. All patients will continue to receive the usual care from their medical
 providers. The main measure is change in UPDRS and secondary measure is change in daily OFF
 time.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease suffering from motor fluctuations

 -  H&Y >2

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Dementia

 -  hearing impairment