Alternating Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor: A Trial to Reduce Habituation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

DBS in the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus has been a revolutionary treatment for patients with essential tremor (ET) by reducing tremor. Unfortunately, some patients develop habituation to DBS and thus experience reduced efficacy and loss of tremor control. There are no standardized methods of addressing habituation to DBS. We propose alternating stimulation patterns as a way to reduce habituation.

Methods

This was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial for patients with VIM DBS for ET. Patients were randomized to either experimental treatment arm of alternating stimulation patterns on a weekly basis or standard care arm of continuous stimulation settings for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was change in the performance subscale of The Essential Trem

SUBMITTER: Seier M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6277363 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature