Low-frequency STN-DBS provides acute gait improvements in Parkinson's disease: a double-blinded randomised cross-over feasibility trial

Zachary J Conway; Peter A Silburn; Thushara Perera; Karen O'Maley; Michael H Cole

doi:10.1186/s12984-021-00921-4

Low-frequency STN-DBS provides acute gait improvements in Parkinson's disease: a double-blinded randomised cross-over feasibility trial

J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2021 Aug 10;18(1):125. doi: 10.1186/s12984-021-00921-4.

Authors

Zachary J Conway¹, Peter A Silburn^{2

3}, Thushara Perera^{4

5}, Karen O'Maley³, Michael H Cole^{6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, P.O. Box 456, Brisbane, QLD, 4014, Australia. zachary.conway@acu.edu.au.
² Asia-Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
³ Neurosciences Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
⁴ The Bionics Institute, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁵ Department of Medical Bionics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁶ School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, P.O. Box 456, Brisbane, QLD, 4014, Australia. michael.cole@acu.edu.au.
⁷ Asia-Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. michael.cole@acu.edu.au.
⁸ Development and Disability over the Lifespan Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia. michael.cole@acu.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: Some people with Parkinson's disease (PD) report poorer dynamic postural stability following high-frequency deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS), which may contribute to an increased falls risk. However, some studies have shown low-frequency (60 Hz) STN-DBS improves clinical measures of postural stability, potentially providing support for this treatment. This double-blind randomised crossover study aimed to investigate the effects of low-frequency STN-DBS compared to high-frequency stimulation on objective measures of gait rhythmicity in people with PD.

Methods: During high- and low-frequency STN-DBS and while off-medication, participants completed assessments of symptom severity and walking (e.g., Timed Up-and-Go). During comfortable walking, the harmonic ratio, an objective measures of gait rhythmicity, was derived from head- and trunk-mounted accelerometers to provide insight in dynamic postural stability. Lower harmonic ratios represent less rhythmic walking and have discriminated people with PD who experience falls. Linear mixed model analyses were performed on fourteen participants.

Results: Low-frequency STN-DBS significantly improved medial-lateral and vertical trunk rhythmicity compared to high-frequency. Improvements were independent of electrode location and total electrical energy delivered. No differences were noted between stimulation conditions for temporal gait measures, clinical mobility measures, motor symptom severity or the presence of gait retropulsion.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the acute benefits of low-frequency stimulation for gait outcomes in STN-DBS PD patients, independent of electrode location. However, the perceived benefits of this therapy may be diminished for people who experienced significant tremor pre-operatively, as lower frequencies may cause these symptoms to re-emerge.

Trial registration: This study was prospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 5 June 2018 (ACTRN12618000944235).

Keywords: Balance; Rhythmic; Sensor; UPDRS; Walk.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Cross-Over Studies
Deep Brain Stimulation*
Feasibility Studies
Gait
Humans
Parkinson Disease* / complications
Parkinson Disease* / therapy

Associated data

ANZCTR/ACTRN12618000944235