A screening method based on analytic hierarchy process for closed-loop DBS strategies of Parkinson's disease

Closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a research hotspot in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, a variety of stimulation strategies will increase the selection time and cost in animal experiments and clinical studies. Moreover, the stimulation effect is little difference between similar strategies, so the selection process will be redundant.

The objective was to propose a comprehensive evaluation model based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to select the best one among similar strategies.

Two similar strategies, namely, threshold stimulation (CDBS) and threshold stimulus after EMD feature extraction (EDBS), were used for analysis and screening. The values of Similar to Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale estimates (SUE), β power and energy consumption were calculated and analysed. The stimulation threshold with the best improvement effect was selected. The weights of the indices were allocated by AHP. Finally, the weights and index values were combined, and the comprehensive scores of the two strategies were calculated using the evaluation model.

The optimal stimulation threshold for CDBS was 52% and for EDBS was 62%. The weights of the indices were 0.45, 0.45 and 0.1, respectively. According to comprehensive scores, different from the situation where either EDBS or CDBS can be called optimal stimulation strategies. But under the same threshold stimulation, the EDBS was better than the CDBS under the optimal level.

The evaluation model based on AHP under the optimal stimulation conditions satisfied the screening conditions between the two strategies.