What is the most efficacious target in deep brain stimulation for obsessive-compulsive disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Previous studies have compared the efficacy of various neuromodulation techniques for the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), while a separate study has assessed raw score changes associated with stimulating various targets with deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Statistical models used in previous studies and meta-analyses fail to take into account the varying symptom severity and response rate associated with regions that would be observed within patients in real life and hence limit the clinical relevance of their results. Additionally, previous studies do not assess changes in OCD symptom severity over time. Our study assesses longitudinal changes in OCD symptom severity, while investigating differences in symptom improvements and response rate (characterised by >35% improvements in Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score).

This study will better open the possibility of personalised treatments for patients with...