Category: Tremor
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in treating head tremors in patients with essential tremor (ET) and identify potential associated factors.
Background: While VIM DBS is well established for limb tremor reduction in ET, its effect on head tremor remains less defined.
Method: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with ET who underwent unilateral or bilateral VIM DBS (October 2019 to July 2024). Patients had a preoperative head tremor score of ≥ 1 on the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Clinical Rating Scale. Demographic and clinical data were collected to assess treatment efficacy. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test assessed changes in head tremor severity. Exact logistic regression evaluated associations between baseline tremor severity, age, disease duration, and gender with achieving a one-point reduction. Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Equivalence testing and a linear mixed-effects model assessed sustained improvement, using a predefined equivalence margin of ± 0.5 points.
Results: A total of 54 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 72 years (IQR: 68-75), with a median disease duration of 22 years (IQR: 12-38), and 92.6% with bilateral implant. The median preoperative head tremor severity score (resting + postural) was 2 (IQR: 1-3), which significantly improved to 0 (IQR: 0-1) postoperatively (p<0.001). The average reduction in head tremor score was 1.6 points (95% CI: -1.95, -1.30). Overall, 87% of patients demonstrated a positive response, and equivalence testing confirmed sustained improvement over a median follow-up of 14 months (IQR: 8-25 months).
Conclusion: VIM DBS demonstrates significant efficacy in reducing head tremors in ET, with the majority of patients experiencing sustained improvement.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Anis, M. Munyeshyaka, J. Hsu, N. Mandava, C. Piccinin, R. Rammo, S. Nagel, H. Fernandez. Efficacy of Ventral Intermediate Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Head Tremors in Essential Tremor: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-of-ventral-intermediate-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation-for-head-tremors-in-essential-tremor-a-single-center-retrospective-analysis/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-of-ventral-intermediate-nucleus-deep-brain-stimulation-for-head-tremors-in-essential-tremor-a-single-center-retrospective-analysis/