Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology (Jan 2020)

The effect of dual tasking and deep brain stimulation frequency parameters on gait in advanced Parkinson's disease

  • Swetha Tandra,
  • Rukmini M Kandadai,
  • Ravi P Peddisetty,
  • K J Babu,
  • T Surya Prabha,
  • S A Jabeen,
  • A K Meena,
  • Rupam Borgohain

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/aian.AIAN_11_19
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 3
pp. 308 – 312

Abstract

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Objective: To study the effect of dual tasking and deep brain stimulation frequency parameters on gait in advanced Parkinson's disease Materials and Methods: This is an open label interventional study evaluating 40 post STN-DBS patients with gait disturbances. All patients were diagnosed as PD by a movement disorder specialist using the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank (UKPDSBB) criteria. Patients underwent bilateral subthalamic deep brain stimulation by a qualified neurosurgeon. Patients were managed on a combination of dopamine replacement therapy as well as deep brain stimulation. Patients were assessed by stand walk sit (SWS) test for a 5 meter distance and FOG scoring during medication 'ON' state and device “ON” state, at four frequencies 180, 130, 90, 60 HZ and device “OFF” state. Results: Out of 40 patients, 38 patients showed a significant improvement in gait at a single frequency (best response frequency) which is different for each patient. The mean FOG score showed significant improvement at all stimulation frequencies when compared to OFF stimulation (P < 0.05). The mean number of steps was 18.9 at best response frequency and 21.48 at 130 Hz (P < 0.0001). Number of freezing episodes also were significantly less with best frequency when compared to 130 Hz stimulation (0.28 and 0.65 respectively, (P < 0.0001). The mean FOG score was 6.45 at best frequency and 9.48 at 130 Hz (P < 0.0001). Mean Dual tasking score was 3.53 at best frequency and 5.15 at 130 Hz (P < 0.0002). Conclusion: Optimization of frequency setting for each patient can improve gait and that each patient may have a different optimal frequency.

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