PARKINSON’S disease perception was most negative among women, younger adults, and patients with longer disease duration.
Parkinson’s Disease Perception Shows High Emotional Impact
Patients with Parkinson’s disease frequently report negative views of their illness, particularly around emotional burden and perceived consequences, according to a cross-sectional study of 128 patients treated in the neurology department of a tertiary hospital in Anhui Province, China.
Using the Chinese version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, researchers found substantial illness-related distress. Mean scores were highest for emotional representation, at 21.14±3.44, and consequences, at 19.45±3.03. These findings suggest that many patients with Parkinson’s disease view their condition not only as progressive and disabling, but also as emotionally disruptive.
Illness perception refers to how patients understand, interpret, and emotionally respond to their disease. In Parkinson’s disease, this may influence treatment engagement, self-management, psychological adaptation, and quality of life.
Who May Be Most at Risk?
Multiple linear regression identified age, gender, educational level, Hoehn and Yahr stage, and disease duration as key factors shaping Parkinson’s disease perception.
Women reported stronger illness identity, greater perceived consequences, and higher emotional distress than men. Younger patients were more likely to perceive greater negative consequences and more severe emotional burden, while older age was linked with stronger perceived personal control. Longer disease duration was associated with reduced personal control, highlighting the psychological impact of living with progressive motor and non-motor symptoms over time.
Lower educational level was also linked with more negative illness perception, including stronger symptom awareness, greater perceived consequences, and a stronger belief that symptoms were cyclical or recurring. Higher Hoehn and Yahr stage was associated with stronger symptom perception and a greater tendency to view Parkinson’s disease as chronic.
Findings Support More Targeted Care
The results point to an opportunity for clinicians to identify patients who may need additional psychological, educational, and social support. Women, younger adults, patients with lower educational attainment, and those with longer disease duration may benefit from more individualized communication, coping skills training, caregiver involvement, and structured education about symptom fluctuations.
The authors noted that the single-center design, convenience sampling, and cross-sectional approach limit generalizability and prevent causal conclusions. However, the findings support the clinical value of assessing Parkinson’s disease perception as part of comprehensive care, particularly when aiming to improve emotional well-being, self-management, and quality of life.
Reference
Ma W et al. Factors influencing the perception of illness in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Front Neurol. 2026;17:1773273. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1773273.
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