Objective: One of the most important conditions for success in Deep brain stimulation (DBS), which has been proven effective for more than thirty years and has had encouraging results is the patient and the patients’ relatives comply with the treatment and are aware. In this treatment where the support of the patient’s relatives is significant, it may cause the caregiver to experience a care burden. In this study, we aimed to determine the care burden and awareness levels of caregivers of patients under DBS treatment.
Background: Information about DBS should start early so that patients can make the best decision and adapt better to the post-treatment process. Patients and their relatives should know that recovery will be gradual and the risks and benefits of this treatment.
Method: In our study, a 22-question caregiver burden scale (Zarid et al.) and a 10- question questionnaire (Prasad et al.) were administered to the caregivers of 14 patients who applied to our center between 2019 and 2024 and were treated with DBS treatment.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 60.57(39-76) and the mean duration of illness was 17.14(10-35). The mean Zarid care scale score was 27.57(5-50). None of the relatives knew the explicit name of DBS and the types of DBS batteries. 5 of 14 patients said they knew the cost of DBS but gave wrong answers. 50% of the relatives of the patients stated that they knew that drug treatment would continue before DBS was inserted. Only 1 of the relatives stated that they would not have DBS implanted in the past. There was a negative correlation between the increase in Zarid care burden scale scores and the level of awareness of the patients’ relatives.
Conclusion: In our study, it was observed that the majority of the patients’ relatives were quite satisfied with the treatment and did not regret that this treatment was applied. As the level of knowledge decreased, the care burden scale increased. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that relatives should be better informed to increase the success of treatment and reduce the burden on caregivers.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
TUC. Saltoglu, YSK. Sücüllü Karadağ. Deep Brain Stimulation From the Perspective of Relatives and Caregivers: A Qualitative Analysis and Caregiver Burden [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2024; 39 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/deep-brain-stimulation-from-the-perspective-of-relatives-and-caregivers-a-qualitative-analysis-and-caregiver-burden/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2024 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/deep-brain-stimulation-from-the-perspective-of-relatives-and-caregivers-a-qualitative-analysis-and-caregiver-burden/