Bengaluru: Women with Parkinson’s disease experience a significantly higher psychosocial burden than men, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans), underscoring the need for gender-sensitive care that goes beyond treating motor symptoms.Titled ‘Differential psychosocial burden in Parkinson’s disease: A gender-based comparison,’ the study was published in the Journal of Neural Transmission in Feb 2026. It analysed 484 patients — 330 men and 154 women — recruited between July 2022 and Sept 2025 as part of the ongoing Young and Late Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YLOPD) study at Nimhans, funded by SKAN Research Trust. The participants, who were from across the country, were assessed using SCOPA-PS (Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s Disease-Psychosocial Functioning), which evaluates difficulties across 11 domains, including daily activities, relationships, emotional well-being, and autonomy. Clinical severity was also measured using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS).While the male and female participants were broadly comparable in age, disease onset, and duration, the results revealed a clear gender gap in psychosocial outcomes. Women recorded significantly higher overall SCOPA-PS scores, indicating greater difficulty in managing everyday life with the disease. They were more likely to report problems with household chores, hobbies and leisure activities, and interpersonal relationships. They also expressed a stronger sense of dependence — feeling more housebound and needing help more frequently. Feelings of loneliness were also more pronounced among women, according to the study.“Women with Parkinson’s disease exhibited significantly higher psychosocial burden compared to men. These differences likely reflect the influence of gender-related social roles, expectations, and perceived dependence,” the authors of the study stated, highlighting that these disparities are not solely explained by differences in disease severity.What is commonAt the same time, some psychosocial experiences were common across genders. Difficulties in communication, feelings of shame, sexual concerns, and anxiety about the future showed no significant differences. Concern about the future, in particular, was widely reported by both men and women, pointing to a shared psychological burden tied to the progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease.The researchers emphasised that the observed differences were deeply rooted in sociocultural contexts. Parkinson’s disease often disrupts roles central to identity, especially for women, who in many settings shoulder a disproportionate share of domestic responsibilities and caregiving. This makes the psychosocial impact of the disease both functional and emotional. The study noted: “Psychosocial challenges can emerge not only from motor symptom severity, but from an intersection of disease manifestations with social roles, expectations, and identity.“The authors argued that these findings have important implications for clinical practice. “Addressing these gender-specific challenges through tailored psychosocial support can improve engagement, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life of people living with Parkinson’s disease.”Having taken care of thousands of patients with Parkinson’s over the past 25 years, Dr Pramod Kumar Pal, professor of neurology at Nimhans, observed that in general, women were more likely than men to care for their spouses when they developed the disease.The AI challengeA woman with early-onset Parkinson’s returned to doctors at Nimhans after a gap of a few years. Her husband reported that she was perceiving an AI chatbot as a real person and seeking answers for all her actions from the moment she woke up. She was later admitted to Nimhans and was found to have psychiatric issues, partly caused by a medication she was taking. After discontinuing the drug, her insight returned and she regulated her use of AI.Like in every other domain, AI has become a challenge in Parkinson’s care. “It is becoming a problem as the advice is not foolproof. While experienced doctors can use it, patients and caregivers should not depend on it. They should not ask AI bots questions related to medication or rely on them for emotional support. It should not lead to dependence,” Dr Pramod Kumar Pal, professor of neurology at Nimhans, said.
