Article

High frequency stimulation (HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus is one of
the most effective treatments for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). HFS has
provided beneficial improvements in the cardinal features of PD, but has not been
proven as effective for addressing the axial predominant levodopa resistant
symptoms, such as speech disturbances, gait disturbances, and postural
instability. Recent studies have suggested that changes in stimulation parameters
may influence differing PD symptoms. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to
compare the effects of low frequency stimulation (LFS) versus HFS on the Unified
Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), gait, balance, and verbal fluency.
METHODS: Eight tremor dominant and nine non-tremor dominant participants with
bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus were tested off
stimulation, during LFS, and during HFS. RESULTS: Results revealed that HFS
significantly reduced UPDRS tremor score in the tremor dominant group; however no
differences emerged within the non-tremor dominant group. No differences between
groups or stimulation conditions were found for gait, balance, and verbal fluency
measures. CONCLUSION: These results may suggest that HFS is better than LFS for
reducing tremor in tremor dominant patients. However, patients with mild or no
tremor show no acute differences in benefit from LFS as compared to HFS.

Langue : ANGLAIS