Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation can significantly improve the motor features of Parkinson's disease in carefully selected patients.
However, effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on the social adjustment, coping strategies and mental health-related quality of life of these patients remain unclear.
In addition, an important concern has been that most studies have reported no improvement in social adaptation after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in some Parkinson's disease patients.
Meyer Mylène and coworkers from Lorraine University, France review the literatures regarding effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on social adjustment, quality of life and coping strategies in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Surprisingly, some specific dimensions of quality of life, "psychological" aspects and social adjustment do not always improve, and they could sometimes be even worse.
The preoperative expectations of Parkinson's disease patients who received subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation should be carefully considered because postoperative social maladjustment is often observed in a few patients.
Therefore, effective strategies are needed to avoid the disappointments from these patients and their relatives and improve patients' quality of life.
The relevant article is published in Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 30, 2013).