Changes in self-perception in patients treated with neurostimulating devices

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Qualitative changes in self-perception have been observed in patients undergoing brain stimulation for neurological conditions.
• A systematic, semiquantitative study was needed to address these unintended treatment effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically assess changes in self-perception in patients treated with various neurostimulation devices.
• To test if central neurostimulation (DBS) impacts self-perception more than peripheral (iVNS) or external (tVNS, eTNS) methods.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study at University Hospital Freiburg used a novel semiquantitative FST-questionnaire.
• 50 patients with Parkinson's disease or epilepsy undergoing neurostimulation (DBS, iVNS, tVNS, eTNS) were assessed.
• The study was cross-sectional and single-center.

Main Results:

• Standardized assessment confirmed alterations in self-perception across all neurostimulation groups, supporting Hypothesis 1.
• Rare self-alienating changes in self-perception were documented.
• Peripheral neurostimulation showed effects comparable to central stimulation techniques, contrary to Hypothesis 2.

Conclusions:

• The FST-questionnaire is an effective tool for detecting changes in self-perception during neurostimulatory treatment.
• This approach can help identify patients at risk for such issues before treatment initiation.
• The study highlights the broad impact of various brain stimulation techniques on self-perception.