Abstract
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a standard treatment for patients with disabling essential tremor. The short-term efficacy rate is well established. Objectives: To assess the long-term effects of DBS in our series and evaluate the durability of the effects over time. Methods: Eighty-four patients implanted with unilateral or bilateral DBS for essential tremor were asked to complete three mailed-in questionnaires to assess DBS efficacy objectively and subjectively. Results: Twenty-six patients responded, with a median follow-up of 41 months. Approximately half of the patients had more than 48 months of follow-up. At the time of follow-up, the Tremor Rating Scale was reduced from a mean score of 7 (5-8) to 3 (2-3) with DBS OFF and ON, respectively. Quality of life, measured with a subset of items of the ADL Taxonomy, improved from a mean of 26 (23-33) to 12 (12-14), comparing DBS OFF and ON. No significant differences were seen when comparing efficacy at short-(<12 months), middle-(12-48 months) or long-term (>48 months) follow-ups. Conclusion: DBS has long-term efficacy for tremor control. This is associated with sustained benefits in quality of life. The duration of the follow-up was not associated with any significant difference in efficacy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 394-400 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2012 |
Keywords
- Deep brain stimulation
- Essential tremor
- Quality of life