“The Fewer Pills the Better”: Attitudes Toward Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depressed Adolescents
摘要
Investigation into the attitudes and ethical concerns surrounding the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for adolescents is of high priority, given that emerging studies are examining the safety and efficacy for this patient population. While there are a few studies examining the views of adolescents and parents in relation to TMS for adolescents with depression, these views have not been studied in the USA. To fill this knowledge gap, we conducted semi-structured interviews with adolescents and parents of adolescents. Interviews were transcribed into text and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Most participants were not aware of TMS as a method of treatment for any disease and did not have strong preferences or ethical concerns for or against the use of TMS to treat adolescents with depression. Several parents perceived a potential benefit of TMS to be not having the risk of side effects and adverse events associated with antidepressant medications. Most parents agreed that time constraints and availability of clinics are key considerations in their decision-making process. While there was no consensus among parents on how much autonomy adolescents should have for decision-making regarding choosing between treatment options, they all agree that the older the adolescent the more likely they should be part of the decision. This study provides insights into the attitudes and ethical concerns of adolescents and parents about TMS for adolescent depression. The overall lack of knowledge of TMS highlights the need for further work in engaging with the public about these types of interventions.