New UCC research to focus on improving care for people living with Parkinson's disease

16 Sep 2026

Researchers at University College Cork (UCC) will explore perspectives on mental health care in people living with Parkinson’s disease to inform clinical practice in movement disorder services, in a new research project announced today under the Health Research Charities Ireland (HRCI) – Health Research Board (HRB) joint funding scheme.

The PD-Mind project brings together an interdisciplinary team with expertise in Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, mental health, neuropsychology, geriatric medicine, psychosocial research, mixed-methods research and patient and public involvement. The involvement of the co-funding charity, Parkinson's Ireland, will also help ensure that the research remains grounded in the priorities and experiences of people affected by Parkinson’s.

Lead researcher, Dr. Emma O’Shea from UCC’s Centre for Centre for Gerontology & Rehabilitation in the School of Medicine, and UCC Futures – Future Ageing & Brain Science, said: "People living with Parkinson’s have told us clearly that mental health is one of the issues that matters most to them. This project, co-funded by Parkinson’s Ireland, is about listening carefully to the experiences of people with Parkinson’s and their families and ensuring that their voices remain at the heart of the research."

The research will survey 200 people with Parkinson’s and their family carers, alongside interviews with people with Parkinson’s, carers and healthcare professionals. Working with people affected by Parkinson’s as co-researchers, the team will translate its findings into practical resources, including a mental health assessment toolkit to support more accurate, consistent and person-centred mental health practice within movement disorder services.

"By bringing together people with Parkinson’s, families and healthcare professionals, our multi-institutional and interdisciplinary team hopes to develop practical tools that support earlier recognition of, and better care for, mental health difficulties. Our intention is to ensure that the findings directly inform specialist Parkinson’s and movement disorder services, helping them to better meet the mental health needs of people living with Parkinson’s across Ireland," added Dr. O’Shea.

The HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme funds internationally competitive and innovative research in areas of strategic relevance to participating charities and the communities they support. Projects are expected to generate new knowledge and evidence of benefit to health or healthcare. Nationally, eight HRCI members have secured €3.1 million to support 12 innovative health research projects under the latest round of the HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme. The HRB contribution is €1.76 million.

HRCI Chief Executive Dr Avril Kennan said the scheme gives charities, patients and the public a direct role in determining which research receives funding. "By putting charities and patients at the heart of funding decisions, it ensures that research is not only excellent, but that it responds to the questions that matter most to the people it is intended to benefit."

HRB Chief Executive Gráinne Gorman said: "These projects demonstrate the strength of research shaped by the needs and experiences of patients, families and communities. The wide range of research topics being funded highlights the value of the HRCI partnership in supporting research that can improve health and care outcomes."

Professor John F. Cryan, UCC Vice President for Research and Innovation, said: "I would like to congratulate Dr. Emma O’Shea on this Health HCRI-HRB funding award. Enhancing knowledge on Parkinson’s disease is crucial to optimise the quality of life for all individuals and our society. By using meaningful Public and Patient Involvement, this work is responding to an urgent societal challenge by empowering collaborative, transformative and inclusive research."