Non‐pharmacological interventions for anxiety and depression in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide, with an estimated 25.2 million people expected to be living with it by 2050. Anxiety and depression occur in approximately 40 to 50 percent of individuals with Parkinson's disease and are associated with increased care dependency, impaired social functioning, and higher mortality rates. Non-pharmacological interventions include psychological therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, exercise, and complementary therapies such as tai chi, yoga, meditation, and music therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is considered the gold standard for treating depression and anxiety. Pharmacological treatments are often poorly tolerated and have limited efficacy, therefore non-pharmacological interventions should be considered as alternatives or adjuncts to existing treatments.