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'He's Back so I'm Not Alone': The Impact of Deep Brain Stimulation on Personality, Self, and Relationships in Parkinson's Disease

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 16:42 authored by Cassandra ThomsonCassandra Thomson, Segrave, RA, Racine, E, Warren, N, Thyagarajan, D, Carter, A
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease successfully alleviates motor symptoms, but unanticipated changes in personality, self, and relationships can occur. Little is known about how these nonmotor outcomes affect patients and families. We prospectively examined the experience and meaning of DBS-related changes in personality and self for patients and caregivers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 participants (11 patient-caregiver dyads) before and 9 months after DBS and analyzed using thematic analysis. We identified three themes present prior to DBS that reflected a time of anticipation, while three themes present after DBS reflected a process of adjustment. Participants noted both positive and negative personality changes, with some, but not all, attributing them to the stimulation. The risk of stimulation-related personality change should be weighed against the procedure's motor benefits and considered in the context of disease- and medication-related personality changes. Clinical implications including perioperative education and follow-up management are discussed.

History

Publication title

Qualitative Health Research

Volume

30

Issue

14

Pagination

2217-2233

ISSN

1049-7323

Department/School

Wicking Dementia Research Education Centre

Publisher

Sage Publications Inc

Place of publication

2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, USA, Ca, 91320

Rights statement

© The Author(s) 2020

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Treatment of human diseases and conditions; Expanding knowledge in the biomedical and clinical sciences; Expanding knowledge in psychology