Abstract
Amid a renewed interest in alternatives to psychotherapy and medication to treat depression, there is limited data as to how different stakeholders perceive of the risks and benefits of psychiatric electroceutical interventions (PEIs), including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and deep brain stimulation (DBS). To address this gap, we conducted 48 semi-structured interviews, including 16 psychiatrists, 16 persons diagnosed with depression, and 16 members of the general public. To provide a basis of comparison, we asked participants to also compare each modality to front-line therapies for depression and to neurosurgical procedures used for non-psychiatric conditions. Across all stakeholder groups, perceived memory loss was the most frequently mentioned potential risk with ECT. The most discussed benefits across all stakeholder groups were efficacy and quick response. Psychiatrists most often referenced effectiveness when discussing ECT, while patients and the public did so when discussing DBS. Taken as a whole, these data highlight stakeholders’ contrasting perspectives on the risks and benefits of electroceuticals.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the NIH BRAIN-NIMH under Grant [#RF1MH117802] to (PI: LC). The authors thank our study participants for sharing their views, which helped us shape our research and launch our next phase of this study. We also thank Emily Castillo, Marissa Cortright, and Megan Penzkofer who have assisted in the planning, development, and analysis of our project. We further thank our Scientific Advisory Board for their valuable input into our project.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Risks, Side Effects and Benefits Section of Semi-Structured Interview Guides
What do you think are the benefits of [ECT/TMS/DBS/ABI] compared to psychotherapy or taking pharmaceuticals? [note similarities and differences]
What do you think are the risks of [ECT/TMS/DBS/ABI] compared to psychotherapy or taking pharmaceuticals? [note similarities and differences]
What do you think are the side effects [ECT/TMS/DBS/ABI] [note similarities and differences, how serious, and how likely]
How do you think the potential side effects are similar to or different from the potential side effects of undergoing psychotherapy? Why? How so?
How do you think the potential side effects are similar to or different from the potential side effects of taking pharmaceuticals? Why? How so?
How do you think the potential side effects are similar to or different from the potential side effects of DBS for essential tremor? Why? How so?
How do you think the potential side effects are similar to or different from the potential side effects of inserting a stent in the brain to prevent blocked arteries? Why? How so?
Supplementary material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.