THE ROLE OF COGNITIVE, FUNCTIONAL AND NEUROBEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between different dimensions of psychological functioning and community integration among persons with a history of Parkinson’s Disease. Method: Fifty-five adults with a diagnosis of Parkinson Disease (PD) were involved in the study. An extended cognitive, functional and neurobehavioral assessment was conducted for each study participant. The three subscales of the Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) were used to investigate community participation. Pearson's correlations and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to analyze the relationship between research variables and CIQ scores. Results: Frontal lobe involvement and functional independence in instrumental activities (IADL) were significant predictors of Community Integration total score. Specific predictive values emerged for both cognitive level and functional independence in IADL on Home Integration; for functional independence in IADL, for executive score and neurobehavioral symptoms on social integration; finally, executive functioning and depressive symptoms predicted the Productivity Subscale score. Conclusions: The multifaceted and multidimensional nature of community integration was confirmed by individuals with PD. Executive efficiency, independence in performing complex activities of everyday life and neurobehavioral symptoms were the most significant predictors of social functioning in our study.