Video Based Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (vMBSR)

To evaluate the feasibility of a video based mindfulness intervention for stress reduction and to evaluate the cortisol response in persons with PD and their caregivers. The data from this project will be used for a future grant application of a stress reduction intervention in persons with PD.

Participants will be enrolled at the VA Portland and have a baseline assessment. The baseline will assess neurological disorders (including Parkinsonism) and current stress. All participants will attend 10 weeks of mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) through video feed on the Portland VA campus. During the week prior to the first class and the week after the last class, participants will complete questionnaires regarding stress, collect saliva samples, and, for the Parkinson's patient, monitor motor symptoms of PD using diaries and inertial sensors. A final visit will assess stress, neurological diseases, and Parkinsonism.

Mindfulness focuses on helping participants understand their personal reactions to stress, teaches skills that provide means to modify stress reactions, and promotes self-care and feelings of competence and mastery. In addition to weekly class sessions, participants are asked to do an hour of home practice the days that the class does not meet.

Enzyme-linked immunoassay salivary cortisol levels (ng/mL) taken prior to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction will be compared to samples taken after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria: Parkinson's disease Some Postural instability Tremor in upper limb Caregiver willing to also participate Exclusion Criteria: No neurological disease Cognitive deficits Other neurological/psychological disorder Completion of a stress reduction program in the last 12 months

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