[Pacemaker, organ or walking stick? Pre-op association with and post-op subjective perception of a deep brain stimulation device].

Aim of the Study: This study was conducted in a pre-post design with a survey of patients who had undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS) as treatment for a neurological movement disorder. The aim of the study was to compare patients' expectations and beliefs before a DBS intervention with patients' subjective experience of this intervention.
Methodology: The longitudinal study of patients (n=132) with an indication for DBS therapy was based on a written survey at the time points of preoperative screening (pre-op) and one-year follow-up (post-op).
Results: Preoperatively, a clear majority of respondents believed DSB to be similar to a pacemaker intervention, but one year after the intervention less than one third did so, as they compared DBS to using a walking stick or glasses.
Conclusion: The experience of DBS in the patient's own body seems to be comparable by means of individually different associations, whereby the comparison with non-invasive aids predominates postoperatively. The discussion of these descriptions in the educational interview can contribute to a realistic horizon of patients' expectations before DBS.
Competing Interests: Andrea A. Kühn: Honoraria from Boston Scientific and Medtronic, not related to this work.Die übrigen Autoren erklären, dass während der letzten 3 Jahre keine wirtschaftlichen oder persönlichen Verbindungen im genannten Sinne bestehen.
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