Perception and Stigma Associated With Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Among Primary Caregivers of Patients Receiving These Therapies

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are widely used neuromodulatory interventions for psychiatric disorders. Despite their clinical effectiveness, perceptions and stigma associated with these therapies among caregivers remain a concern, influencing treatment acceptance. This study aimed to estimate the perception and stigma associated with ECT, rTMS, and tDCS among primary caregivers of patients receiving these therapies. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry of a Tertiary Care Centre of North India involving 99 primary caregivers whose ages ranged 18 to 60 years and who are staying with the patient for at least 1 year, equally distributed across the 3 therapy groups (ECT, rTMS, and tDCS). Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using validated tools: Brain Stimulation Therapy Perception Questionnaire (BSTPQ) and Brain Stimulation Therapy Stigma Questionnaire (BSTSQ). RESULTS: Caregivers of patients undergoing rTMS and tDCS reported more favorable perceptions and lower stigma compared with ECT caregivers. Statistically significant differences were found between ECT and rTMS groups. A moderate negative correlation was observed between perception and stigma (r=-0.482, P