Category: Surgical Therapy: Parkinson's Disease
Objective: The primary objective of this study was to document the evolution of independence in activities of daily living in people with Parkinson’s disease treated with subthalamic nucleus stimulation for more than 10 years. The secondary objectives were to measure the change in quality of life, as well as non-motor (cognition, depression) and motor outcomes (motor complications, dopaminergic medication).
Background: Long-term data on non-motor outcomes of subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson’s disease are scarce. We report on very-long term non-motor and motor outcomes in one of the largest cohorts of people with advanced Parkinson’s disease, treated for more than ten years with subthalamic nucleus stimulation.
Method: Assessment of patients was realized preoperatively, one year, and beyond 10 years after subthalamic stimulation with an established protocol including motor, non-motor and neuropsychological assessments.
Results: Eighty-five people with PD were included in the study. Independence scores in the off-medication condition (measured with the Schwab & England activities of daily living scale) remained improved beyond 10 years of subthalamic stimulation compared to preoperatively (p < 0.001), as well as quality of life (measured with the PDQ37, p = 0.015). Beyond 10 years, there was no significant change in depression, as measured with the BDI, compared to before and one year after surgery. At last follow-up, there was a significant worsening in cognition, as measured with the MDRS, compared to before and one-year after surgery (p < 0.001). Motor fluctuations, dyskinesias and off dystonia remained improved at longest follow-up (p < 0.001), with a significant reduction in dopaminergic treatment (45%, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: This study points toward a long-lasting improvement of independence and quality of life in people treated with subthalamic stimulation, despite the progression of disease and the occurrence of levodopa-resistant symptoms.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
A. Castrioto, B. Debu, E. Cousin, P. Pelissier, E. Lhommée, A. Bichon, E. Schmitt, A. Kistner, S. Meoni, E. Seigneuret, S. Chabardes, P. Krack, E. Moro, V. Fraix. Long-term non-motor and motor outcome after subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2022; 37 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/long-term-non-motor-and-motor-outcome-after-subthalamic-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2022 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/long-term-non-motor-and-motor-outcome-after-subthalamic-stimulation-in-parkinsons-disease/