Category: Parkinson’s Disease: Clinical Trials
Objective: To investigate the effect of DBS compared with BMT on social, psychosocial and occupational functioning in PD patients ≤ 60 years of age with early motor complications, its correlates and possible underlying rationale.
Background: DBS improves motor symptoms and quality of life in patients with PD and early motor complications as described in the EARLYSTIM study results1; suggesting that DBS could be prescribed to the working age PD population
Method: Secondary analysis of EARLYSTIM study data regarding the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS), Scales for Outcomes for Parkinson’s–Psychosocial (SCOPA-PS, Professional Fitness, Starkstein Apathy Scale, and modified Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale. Adjustments for multiple comparisons were not implemented. Statistical significance was identified as a p-value ≤0.05.
Results:
Compared with BMT, DBS resulted in significantly greater improvements from baseline through 24 months in social,occupational and psychosocial functioning (SOFAS and SCOPA-PS). Yet, work status in the two groups did not differ at baseline and 24 months (Professional Fitness). Physicians reported a significantly higher percentage of patients in the BMT group unable to work at 24 months relative to baseline, compared with the DBS group. Apathy was significantly worse in patients for whom physicians overrated abilty to work as compared to patients own ratings, than in the group of patients who physicians’ ability to work ratings were comparable to, or worse than patients’ self-rating of ability to work.
Conclusion:
For patients aged ≤ 60 years with PD and early motor complications, DBS provided significant improvements in social, occupational, and psychosocial function but not in the actual work engagement compared with BMT at two years. Apathy may impact ability to work.
References: 1 Schuepbach WM, Rau J, Knudsen K, et al. Neurostimulation for Parkinson’s disease with early motor complications. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:610-622.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
V. Stoker, P. Krack, L. Tonder, A. Schnitzler, J.L Houeto, J. Rau, C. Schade-Brittinger, M. Vidailhet, G. Deuschl. Deep Brain Stimulation impact on Social and Occupational Function in Parkinson’s Disease with Early Motor Complications [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2020; 35 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/deep-brain-stimulation-impact-on-social-and-occupational-function-in-parkinsons-disease-with-early-motor-complications/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2020
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/deep-brain-stimulation-impact-on-social-and-occupational-function-in-parkinsons-disease-with-early-motor-complications/