GFDD fellow develops procedures to improve quality of life and mental state for Parkinson’s patients

Henry Montero presented in Santo Domingo his book, “Terapia cognitivo-conductual en pacientes con psicosis del Parkinson” (Cognitive behavioral therapy in patients with Parkinson’s Disease), the result of extensive research done under GFDD’s Fellow Program.

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic (Funglode), through its Center for Health
Studies, presented “Terapia cognitivo-conductual en pacientes con psicosis del Parkinson,” written and researched by the psychologist Henry A. Montero under GFDD´s Fellow Program. The book presentation was held at Funglode in Santo Domingo on Thursday June 25th.

Based on research undertaken as a doctoral student in Psychology at Capella University in the United States, GFDD´s publication contains updated information on treatments related to Parkinson’s and recommends methods for
improving the quality of life for Parkinson patients including ways to improve their mental state.

“There are six million people in the world with Parkinson’s and that includes 6% of Dominicans over 65,” Mr. Montero said. He added that 25% of those patients do not receive any treatment, which impairs their quality of life.

The study done by Montero, a participant in GFDD Fellows Program, is helping fill an important
information gap. His work is a contribution to current research on Parkinson’s in Latin America and the Caribbean.

People who who develop Parkinson’s create a visual distortion, and “believe in what they see and hear,” said Montero in the presentation. He explained that he visited patients as part of his research because “books and studies explain things, but I wanted to see for myself.”

“Individuals with Parkinson’s disease cannot tolerate traditional medicine, for that reason cognitive behavioral therapy improves their ability to deal with their illness,” said Montero.

He explained that family and home provide important support networks and are fundamental for improving the mental health and life expectancy of the patient during treatment.

The study lasted 10 weeks in the DR and involved five
people, four men and one woman, who were assigned different tasks. These enable patients, according their illness, to adapt their homes to their needs.

Neurologist José Silié described the book as a great contribution to this area of ​​health. “Anyone interested in Parkinson””s should read this study. I highly recommend it,” said Silié.

Others at Montero’s presentation, held in the Funglode auditorium,
included Dr. Gustavo Rojas, Director of Funglode’s Center for Health Studies; Marcia Castillo and José Silié, Dominican neurologists; Eladio Hernández, clinical psychologist and María Victoria Abreu, program director for the Socioeconomic Development and International Affairs for GFDD.

Research significantly contributes to the vision of GFDD/Funglode as part of adapting new perspectives and innovative approaches to the challenges facing contemporary Dominican
society and the world.

Montero, who holds a Masters in Psychology from Manhattan College, is certified to practice clinical psychology and therapy with alcoholics and drug users in New York and New Jersey.

He graduated cum laude in Business Administration and Information Technology from Monroe College. Montero participated in the GFDD Fellows Program between February and May 2014.