Personal and relational changes following deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression: A prospective qualitative study with patients and caregivers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) and whether it alters patient personality is a much-debated topic within academic literature, yet rarely explored with those directly involved. This study qualitatively examined how DBS for treatment-resistant depression impacts patient personality, self-concept, and relationships from the perspectives of both patients and caregivers.

Methods

A prospective qualitative design was used. Eleven participants were included (six patients, five caregivers). Patients were enrolled in a clinical trial of DBS of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants before DBS-implantation and 9-months after stimulation-initiation. The 21 interviews were thematically analysed.

Results

Three pri

SUBMITTER: Thomson CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10079124 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature