Investigating the Increased Risk of Falls in Individuals With Parkinson's Disease Treated With Deep Brain Stimulation
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
The purpose of this pilot study is to assess changes in thinking and movement after deep brain stimulator implantation. The study will also examine whether these changes are related to the risk of falls.
Description
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective 2nd line therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in whom pharmacologic interventions no longer optimally control primary motor symptoms such as rigidity, bradykinesia, and tremor. However, the extent to which DBS improves axial motor symptoms (e.g., postural instability) is equivocal. While some investigations show improved static and dynamic balance measured in the lab, many studies also show that individuals fall at a higher rate compared to those without DBS. Increased incidence of falls reduce participation in the community. T…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 30–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 30-80, patient has elected to undergo DBS surgery as part of routine care, cleared for deep brain stimulation surgery as part of routine care by the movement disorders committee. Refractory motor symptoms such as dyskinesias, wearing off, and/or motor fluctuations, causing significant disability, despite reasonable attempts at medical management, as determined by the consensus DBS committee, able to walk, Patient is available for follow-up over the length of the study Exclusion Criteria: Patient's insurance will not cover the costs of surgery with investigat…
Interventions
- BehavioralDBS as part of standard of care
Individuals with Parkinson's Disease will be selected to undergo DBS as part of standard of care. Those individuals will be assessed prior to and 3 months after.
Location
- UAB WHARF at LakeshoreHomewood, Alabama