M.A. / Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder. Symptoms such as tremor, muscular stiffness and slowness of bodily movement are prevalent in the disease. Early research studies have investigated emotional difficulties experienced by Parkinson's disease patients. Most research studies have focused on depression in Parkinson's disease. However few studies have investigated other emotional concomitants of Parkinson's disease, for example anxiety, self-esteem and impulse control. The aim of the present study was to investigate emotional concomitants of Parkinson's disease and to explore problematic emotional symptoms experienced by patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. The aim of the study was to compare a group of 10 male Parkinson's disease patients with a group of 10 healthy males (non-Parkinson's disease males) regarding the six subscales (Thought/Behaviour disorder, Impulse Control, Anxiety, Depression, Low Self-esteem and Total Pathology) of the Emotional Problems Scales (EPS). In the second part of the present study a group of six male Parkinson's disease patients completed the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI). The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory consists of 22 clinical scales. The results indicated that there were statistically significant differences between the Parkinson's disease patients and the non-Parkinson's disease males regarding the Anxiety, Depression and Total Pathology subscales of the Emotional Problems Scales. The results further indicated that the Parkinson's disease patients had elevated scores above the 75 and 85 base rate scores of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory. The elevated scores were on the Schizoid, Compulsive, Self-defeating, Anxiety and Dysthymia scales. The results obtained in the present research study support previous studies regarding emotional concomitants in Parkinson's disease. Although effort has been made to ensure the present research study is methodologically sound, the study had a few shortfalls and limitations. The questionnaires (EPS and MCMI) used in the present study have not been standardised for the South African population. The present research study was interesting but a larger sample would be needed that would be more representative of the South African population. The present study did not discriminate between tremor dominant Parkinson's disease and rigid Parkinson's disease. Incidence of depression seems to be higher in Parkinson's disease patients with prominent features of bradykinesia and gait instability. It is recommended that future research studies distinguish between rigid Parkinson's disease and tremor dominant Parkinson's disease. Future research should also include measuring instruments that have been standardised for the South African population. Combined gender studies regarding emotional concomitants of Parkinson's disease will contribute to understanding the problematic emotional symptoms experienced by patients suffering from Parkinson's disease.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:2850 |
| Date | 20 August 2012 |
| Creators | Le Roux, Ann |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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