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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test
Published on: May 31, 2016
Deep-brain stimulation in the subthalamic nuclei improves balance performance in patients with Parkinson's disease,
M H Nilsson1, A L Törnqvist, S Rehncrona
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of bilateral deep-brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on balance performance in patients with severe Parkinson's disease (PD), when tested without anti-parkinsonian medication.
Material And Methods:
Thirty-one patients (median age 65 years, range 50-77) were included. Assessments were made after 10-12 h withdrawal of medication, before and 6 and 12 months after surgery. Postoperative evaluations were performed with DBS on and off. Balance performance was evaluated with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Motor symptoms and postural stability (item 30) were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III).
Results:
DBS in STN improved balance performance as well as postural stability and motor symptoms significantly (P
Conclusion:
DBS in STN improves balance performance in patients with severe PD.
