Lived experiences, depression, and quality of life in Korean women with Parkinson disease after deep brain stimulation: a multimethod study

Abstract

Purpose: Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) is increasingly used to manage Parkinson disease (PD), its effects on women’s experiences and quality of life (QoL) remain underexplored. This study examines the experiences of women with PD after DBS implantation and identifies changes in QoL and depression, integrating qualitative and quantitative findings to investigate sex-specific treatment outcomes. Methods: A multimethod design was employed, beginning with in-depth interviews and followed by quantitative assessments using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) before and after DBS. Data were collected between 2019 and 2021, and findings were integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of DBS. Results: Twelve women with PD who underwent DBS implantation participated. Qualitative analysis revealed themes including “stress due to external changes observed by others,” “pain at the implantation site,” “decline in DBS effectiveness,” “economic burden of battery replacement surgery,” and “anxiety when DBS is turned off.” Quantitative analysis showed significant improvement in UPDRS part III scores following surgery (39.32±10.40 vs. 25.01±16.82, p=.038). However, no significant differences were found in BDI and PDQ-39 scores before and after surgery (p-values ranged from .450 to .695). Integrating both datasets highlighted the interplay of physical improvement with persistent psychosocial challenges. Conclusion: Although DBS improved motor symptoms, women with PD continued to experience emotional and financial distress. These findings underscore the importance of holistic, patient-centered care that addresses both medical and psychosocial needs.