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Updated: Feb 28, 2026
Intra-Operative Behavioral Tasks in Awake Humans Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
Published on: January 6, 2011
Patients' Perioperative Experience of Awake Deep-Brain Stimulation for Parkinson Disease
Eoin Mulroy1, Nigel Robertson2, Lorraine Macdonald1
1Department of Neurology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Background:
Awake craniotomy for tumor resection and epilepsy surgery is a well-tolerated procedure. Qualitative data on patients' experience of awake deep-brain stimulation (DBS) are, however, lacking. We collected qualitative data on patients' experience of awake DBS with a view to identifying areas for improvement.
Methods:
Forty-one patients undergoing DBS for Parkinson disease between 2009 and 2015 were surveyed with a structured questionnaire designed to receive patient feedback regarding perioperative management of the awake stage of the procedure.
Results:
More than 90% of patients felt well-informed. Most remembered the procedure, and almost all were happy that they did. One half of the patients experienced pain, often significant, during the procedure. This mainly occurred during burr-hole drilling and stereotactic frame placement.
Conclusions:
Although awake DBS is well-tolerated, pain and off-period symptoms are an issue for a significant number of patients. Efforts should be made to minimize these unpleasant aspects of awake DBS.
