Personalised Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) for Parkinson's Disease
Living with Parkinson’s disease can affect your emotional health, but accessing face-to-face talking therapy can be difficult and time-consuming. This clinical trial is testing a new digital app created to provide flexible emotional support for people with Parkinson's across the UK. The app offers short, bite-sized sessions of 5 to 10 minutes each day. These activities are based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a talking therapy that teaches practical ways to handle difficult emotions and focus on what matters most to you. Participants are randomly placed into one of two groups: one uses the app for 4 weeks straight away, while the other continues with their usual care and gets the app once the trial ends. All questionnaires and meetings are completed from home online or over video calls, meaning no hospital visits are needed.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Parkinson’s disease is well known for causing physical symptoms like tremors and stiffness, but it also brings daily emotional challenges. Many people experience worry, low mood, or stress. While talking therapies can be very helpful, getting to face-to-face appointments can be exhausting, hard to arrange, or simply unavailable in some areas. This trial looks at whether modern technology can make psychological support easier to access.
Researchers at City, University of London have designed an app called PACT (Personalised Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a gentle, evidence-based talking therapy. Rather than trying to fight difficult thoughts, it helps you accept them and find practical ways to live a meaningful life alongside your health condition. The app breaks this therapy down into 5-to-10-minute daily exercises that adjust to your individual needs.
By testing this app, researchers want to see if brief digital sessions can genuinely improve mood and daily coping skills for people with Parkinson’s. If the trial is successful, the app could be rolled out more widely, offering a convenient, free tool to support people across the UK whenever and wherever they need it.
Key takeaways
- Tests a home-based wellbeing app tailored specifically for people with Parkinson's.
- Uses short daily sessions (5-10 minutes) based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
- Completely remote with no clinic visits, blood tests, or medication changes.
- Everyone gets access to the app, either right away or after a 4-week waiting period.
- Funded by Parkinson’s UK and led by researchers at City, University of London.
Who may be eligible?
You may be eligible for this study if you are 18 or older, live in the UK, and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Because the trial is carried out remotely, you will need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with reliable internet access, and you must be able to read and communicate in English. The study is aimed at individuals who are feeling mild-to-moderate levels of emotional distress or worry.
If you take prescribed medications for anxiety or depression, you can still take part, provided your dose has stayed the same for at least one month before joining.
This study is not suitable for people living with severe memory or thinking problems (cognitive impairment). It is also not suitable for individuals currently experiencing serious psychiatric conditions, such as psychosis or active drug and alcohol addiction, as these require different types of specialist medical care.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- I am aged 18 or over and live in the UK.
- I have a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
- I have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet.
- I am experiencing mild-to-moderate stress, anxiety, or low mood.
- If I take antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine, my dose has been stable for at least 1 month.
- I do not have severe memory loss, psychosis, or an active addiction.
What does participation involve?
Taking part in this study lasts around 4 weeks and is done entirely from home. You will not need to travel to any clinics or take any new medications. First, you will complete an online questionnaire and a brief video call with the research team to ensure the study is right for you. You will then be placed by chance (like flipping a coin) into one of two groups: one group uses the app for 4 weeks immediately, while the comparison group receives their usual care and is given access to the app after the 4-week period. During the study, app users spend 5 to 10 minutes a day following guided exercises. At the end of the 4 weeks, both groups complete follow-up online surveys so researchers can compare their wellbeing and collect feedback on the app.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- PARKINSON'S DISEASE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (Parkinson's UK)City onlyLondon, England
Common questions
Do I have to travel to hospital appointments for this trial?
No. The entire study is run remotely. You can complete all surveys, video chats, and app sessions from home.
What happens if I am put into the 'usual care' group?
You will carry on with your normal care as usual for 4 weeks. Once that period finishes, you will be given full access to the app.
Do I need to change or stop my current Parkinson's medication?
No. You should continue taking all your regular Parkinson's and mental health medications exactly as prescribed.
How much time will the app take each day?
The app is designed to be bite-sized and manageable, taking only 5 to 10 minutes per day.
Does taking part cost anything?
No, taking part is completely free. The study is funded by the charity Parkinson's UK.
How to find out more
Cathryn Pinto
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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