Bilateral deep brain stimulation vs best medical therapy for patients with advanced Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Deep brain stimulation is an accepted treatment for advanced Parkinson disease (PD), although there are few randomized trials comparing treatments, and most studies exclude older patients.

Objective

To compare 6-month outcomes for patients with PD who received deep brain stimulation or best medical therapy.

Design, setting, and patients

Randomized controlled trial of patients who received either deep brain stimulation or best medical therapy, stratified by study site and patient age (< 70 years vs > or = 70 years) at 7 Veterans Affairs and 6 university hospitals between May 2002 and October 2005. A total of 255 patients with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage > or = 2 while not taking medications) were enrolled; 25% were aged 70 years or older. The final 6-month follow-

SUBMITTER: Weaver FM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2814800 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature