Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: results of six patients

• Published in: The Journal of neuroscience nursing Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 223 - 231
• Main Authors: Eriksen, Sharon K, Tuite, Paul J, Maxwell, Robert E, Sullivan, Mary, Low, Walter C, Ebner, Timothy J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, WK Health 01.08.2003; American Association of Neurosurgical Nurses
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Care and treatment; Case studies; Electric Stimulation Therapy - adverse effects; Electric Stimulation Therapy - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Nurse Practitioners; Nursing; Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation; Parkinson Disease - surgery; Parkinson Disease - therapy; Parkinson's disease; Subthalamic Nucleus - surgery; Treatment Outcome; United States
• ISSN: 0888-0395; 1945-2810
• DOI: 10.1097/01376517-200308000-00010

In this study, researchers evaluated the effect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on various measures of Parkinson's disease. Assessments were completed before and after surgery in a double-blind fashion under the following six conditions: (a) on medication, (b) off medication, (c) on medication/on stimulation, (d) on medication/off stimulation, (e) off medication/on stimulation, and (f) off medication/off stimulation. On average, improvement was noted in all areas including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale, Modified Hoehn and Yahr Staging, and timed tests: In addition, dyskinesia duration and dyskinesia disability were reduced.