Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) in Parkinson's: Randomized Trial Findings

People with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) experience increasing disability due to progressive motor and non-motor symptoms. Comprehensive rehabilitation approaches are needed to maximize their daily functioning. CO-OP targets daily functioning and has established efficacy in populations with similar symptom profiles.

To explore the potential of CO-OP for PwPD, a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted.

Consenting PwPD (n = 20) were recruited to a parallel group, assessor masked RCT. Following baseline assessment, participants were randomized to CO-OP (20 sessions:10-weeks) or a waitlist control (WLC; 0 sessions: 10 weeks). Goal attainment, functional and cognitive status, quality of life, self-efficacy, transfer, and maintenance were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis.

Effort (M = 3.02/5) and enjoyment (M = 3.15/5) ratings; homework completion (M = 91%) and protocol adherence (M = 82%) indicate that CO-OP is feasible. CO-OP was superior to the WLC on Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) performance (p=<.001), COPM satisfaction (p=<.001), and Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS; p=<.001) but not the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS; p = .123).

Addressing a critical gap in Parkinson's disease management, findings suggest that CO-OP is implementable, feasible, and potentially beneficial for PwPD. Further research is warranted to further establish efficacy.