A large-scale online survey of patients and the general public: Preferring safe and noninvasive neuromodulation for mental health

While neurotechnology provides opportunities for novel mental health interventions, preferences of patients and the general public, and the reasons for their choices are still unclear. Here, we conducted a large-scale online survey with 784 participants, half of them suffering from psychiatric and/or neurological conditions. We asked about techniques ranging from invasive (pharmaceutical drugs and brain implants) to noninvasive approaches (ultrasound, magnetic, or electric stimulation). First, participants had a low level of prior knowledge but were interested and excited about these opportunities. Second, both patients and the general population preferred focused ultrasound stimulation (first choice) while drugs and implants were ranked 3rd and 5th out of five, respectively. Finally, that preference was mainly driven by whether they perceived a technology as safe, rather than as effective. Overall, this survey identifies safety as main criterion for interventions and shows a preference for novel noninvasive approaches such as focused ultrasound neuromodulation. HighlightsO_LIFocused ultrasound is the preferred intervention for brain and mental health conditions C_LIO_LIThe preference of techniques was consistent between healthy participants and patients suffering from brain or mental health conditions. C_LIO_LIGetting more information about different neuromodulation techniques reduced confusion and increased feelings of being excited, optimistic, and comfortable with these techniques C_LIO_LIThe ranking of preference is linked with the perceived safety but less related with perceived efficiency of techniques indicating safety as more important criterion C_LI