Personal recovery associated with deep brain stimulation for treatment‐resistant depression: A constructivist grounded theory study
Authors: Raffin Bouchal Donna S. , Ferguson Angela L. , Green Theresa , McAusland Laina , Kiss Zelma , Ramasubbu Rajamannar 
Published: April 2023

Accessible Summary

What is known on the subject?

Major depressive disorder is the most prevalent of all mental illnesses.

10%–20% of patients with depression and 1% of the population overall have treatment‐resistant depression (TRD).

DBS is an emerging investigational treatment for TRD with documented clinical efficacy and safety.

The framework of the recovery model includes both clinical and personal recovery. Personal recovery is a self‐process in which hope, empowerment and optimism are embraced to overcome the impact of mental illness on one's sense of self.

Although clinical and functional outcomes of DBS for TRD have been well documented in the previous studies, personal recovery as an outcome has been explored only in a handful of studies.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge?

This is the first qualitative study exploring personal recovery from DBS treatment specific to the target of subcallosal cingulate cortex in patients with TRD. Since the existing literature on personal recovery in DBS studies is limited, the contribution of this paper is crucial to this field.

For individuals who responded to deep brain stimulation clinically, neither participants nor family believed it cured their depression, but rather there was a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms of depression. A holistic‐oriented framework (that includes personal recovery) is significant for those individuals with TRD undergoing DBS. Personal and clinical recovery are two different constructs, and individuals may experience one or the other or both.

The experience of participants who responded to deep brain stimulation recognized that the recovery from depression is a process of reconstructing self. This process involved a period of adjustment that evoked a deeper self‐awareness, re‐engagement with daily living and newfound gratitude in living. Individuals transitioned from an emotionally driven life to one where future goals were considered. Supportive relationships were instrumental in this process.

What are the implications for practice?

A deep brain stimulation intervention for treatment‐resistant depression offered individuals an opportunity for personal recovery where a reconstruction of self occurred.

Personal recovery can be considered as an outcome in conjunction with clinical and functional outcomes in future DBS trials for TRD. The relevance of personal recovery in the prevention of relapses needs further investigation.

To advocate for care and services that facilitate the process of recovery from depression, it is important to understand the personal dimensions and experience of recovery that may influence the process.

To develop recovery‐oriented interventions to help patients and families in recovery post‐deep brain stimulation, further understanding of support and negotiating relationships during this life‐altering experience is needed.

Introduction

Multiple trials of antidepressant treatments in patients with depression pose a major challenge to the mental health system. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging and promising investigational treatment to reduce depressive symptoms in individuals with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). The clinical and functional outcomes of DBS for TRD have been well documented in previous studies; however, studies of personal recovery as an outcome of DBS specific to the target of subcallosal cingulate cortex in patients with TRD are limited.

Aim

To explore the processes of personal recovery in patients with treatment‐resistant depression following subcallosal cingulate‐deep brain stimulation.

Method

Participants were 18 patients with TRD who participated in the subcallosal cingulate (SCC)‐DBS trial and 11 family members. They also participated in add‐on individual cognitive behavioural therapy during the trial. A qualitative constructivist grounded theory approach was used to conceptualize the personal recovery process of patients and families.

Results

While every participant and their families' journey were unique following the deep brain stimulation intervention, a theoretical model of Balancing to Establish a Reconstructed Self emerged from the data. The themes underlying the model were (1) Balancing to Establish a Reconstructed Self: A Whole‐Body Experience, (2) The Liminal Space in‐between: Balancing with Cautious Optimism, (3) Hope: Transitioning from Emotion‐Focussed Living to Goal‐Oriented Planning and (4) Support: Negotiating Relationships.

Discussion

This is the first study examining recovery from patients' perspectives as an outcome of SCC‐DBS intervention for TRD. The study shows that personal recovery is a gradual and continual process of reconstruction of the self, developing through supportive relationships. Clinical and personal recovery are two distinct constructs, and individuals may experience one or the other or both. Most patients who do respond clinically experience improvement in terms of having optimism and hope. Some patients, however, respond with significant symptom reduction but are not able to achieve personal recovery to experience joy or hope for improved quality of living.

Implications for Practice

Strategies for personal recovery for both patients and family need to be considered during and post deep brain stimulation intervention. Nurses working with these patients and families may benefit from education, training and support to assess and engage in conversations about their recovery process.