Pilot study on a fast postoperative programming approach to subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVES

T0 o evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a fast post-operative screening method using deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in patients with Parkinson's disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients implanted with electrodes for STN-DBS were divided into two groups : Group I received traditional programming and Group II was treated with the fast method. The time required for programming in each group and the treatment effects were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant postoperative improvement of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III was achieved in the "off medication" and "on stimulation" condition in both the groups (Group I: 51.2% vs. Group II: 54.0%, P<0.05). The average time needed for programming, however, was significantly shorter in Group II as compared to Group I (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

T0 he new fast method can significantly reduce the time required to find a preliminary effective STN-DBS protocol in the early postoperative phase without sacrificing clinical efficacy.