Asleep versus awake deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

There remains controversies regarding the selection of anesthesia method in the procedure of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease (PD). This study was to compare the efficacy and safety between asleep (general anesthesia) and awake DBS (local anesthesia) from various aspects.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature retrieval until April 2025 was conducted based on four electronic databases. We included studies involving comparisons of asleep and awake DBS and reporting outcomes at ≥ 3 months follow-up visit. Motor and various non-motor outcomes were compared between the two groups. Subgroup analysis was also conducted to identify the potential influential factors of the outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven articles involving 28 trials were included. On the whole, there were no significant between-group differences regarding the relative changes in UPDRS-III scores, LEDD, depression, cognition, and quality of life. The rates of adverse events, including intracranial hemorrhage, infection, and stimulation-related complications were also comparable between these two groups. Subgroup analyses indicated no significant between-group differences when categorized by DBS targets, intraoperative imaging guidance, and use of microelectrode recordings (MER) in the surgical procedure. In particular, asleep DBS with intraoperative imaging was comparable to awake DBS in improving motor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

On the whole, the efficacy, and safety outcomes were comparable between awake DBS and asleep DBS for PD. Therefore, asleep DBS may be an alternative therapeutic method to awake DBS. Additionally, intraoperative imaging guidance was recommended in the procedure of asleep DBS. Further prospective studies are needed before the establishment of a more compelling conclusion.