Evaluation of body image and self-concept and their correlation with depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE: To identify characteristics of body image and self-concept in individuals over fifty years of age with Parkinson's disease (PD). The secondary objectives are to analyze whether body image and self-concept are influenced by the severity of PD and to verify if there is correlation between depression, self-concept and body image in cases of PD. METHOD: Participating in the study were 48 individuals, being 26 with PD and 22 Controls. The instruments used were: The Mini Exam of Mental State, The My Body Image Test, The Factorial Self-concept Test, The Beck Depression Inventory, the motor section of The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and The Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale. RESULTS: In PD the perception of body image and self-concept demonstrated significantly reduced values p<0.001 and p=0.012 respectively, and the presence of depression symptomatology was significantly more (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Individuals with PD present alteration of body image and self-concept and also present lower personal confidence and lower social receptivity, correlated with depressive symptoms.