Parkinson's Disease: Coping Strategies, Cognitive Restructuring and Deep Brain Stimulation.

This article focuses on the evolution of coping strategies in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients before and after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery. In a randomized controlled trial with 50 PD patients, coping was assessed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively using the neurological version of the CHIP (Coping with Health Injuries and Problem) and the BriefCOPE scales. Results showed that certain coping strategies, such as information seeking, emotional regulation, and well-being searching, were used more before surgery, while palliative coping, humor, and substance use increased after surgery. The study found no significant impact of a brief preoperative psychological preparation based on cognitive restructuring on postoperative coping strategies, suggesting that coping adaptations may be more influenced by disease progression and neurological changes than by short-term psychological interventions. The authors highlight the importance of systematically considering coping strategies in the neurosurgical process to support patient adjustment after DBS.