Effect of structured meditation administered prior to physiotherapy on neuropsychiatric symptoms and exercise readiness in Parkinson’s disease

Chandrika Morwal*

Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, India

Refer this article

Chandrika Morwal, 2026. Effect of structured meditation administered prior to physiotherapy on neuropsychiatric symptoms and exercise readiness in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences, V 15, I 3, Pages 39 – 42. Doi: https://doi.org/10.55522/jmpas.V15I4.7100.

ABSTRACT

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with motor dysfunction and a broad range of non-motor symptoms. Common neuropsychiatric manifestations, such as anxiety and depression, may interfere with participation in rehabilitation and quality of life overall. Emotional distress before physiotherapy can impair attentional control, reduce motivation, and have detrimental effects on motor learning. This case report describes the possible effects of structured meditation delivered immediately before physiotherapy on neuropsychiatric symptoms and rehabilitation readiness in Parkinson’s disease. A 62-year-old man with a 5-year history of Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr Stage II) presented with bradykinesia, mild rigidity, gait instability, and prominent anxiety and depressive symptoms that precluded physiotherapy. The patient was on a stable dose of levodopa–carbidopa, and no changes in medication were made during the study period. A structured 25-minute meditation protocol (diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness-based breath awareness, body scan relaxation, and loving-kindness meditation) was administered immediately before physiotherapy sessions five days a week for six weeks. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale assessed psychological outcomes, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the emotional wellness domain of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39. Anxiety levels were 41.6% lower, depressive symptoms were 44.4% lower, and mental health was 38.7% higher after the intervention. Clinically, we observed improved attentional engagement, emotional stability, and greater persistence during physiotherapy sessions. Structured meditation before physiotherapy may be a useful adjunct intervention to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and increase rehabilitation engagement in Parkinson's disease. These initial findings need to be confirmed in larger controlled studies.

Keywords:

Parkinson’s disease, Meditation, Neurorehabilitation, Anxiety, Depression, Physiotherapy.

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