TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical Therapy and Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease
T2 - Safety, Feasibility, and Preliminary Efficacy
AU - Tueth, Lauren E.
AU - Rawson, Kerri S.
AU - Van Dillen, Linda R.
AU - Earhart, Gammon M.
AU - Perlmutter, Joel S.
AU - Duncan, Ryan
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Background and Purpose: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) effectively treats some of the motor manifestations of Parkinson disease (PD). However, previous work suggests STN-DBS may lead to worsening of balance and gait in some people with PD. Physical therapy (PT) is often used to improve balance and gait in PD, but its safety, feasibility, and efficacy have not been tested in people with STN-DBS. The purpose of this study was to test the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of PT for improving gait and balance in persons with PD and STN-DBS. Methods: This randomized pilot study compared the effects of an 8-week PT intervention (n = 15) on balance and gait to a usual care control group (n = 14) among people with PD with STN-DBS. Individuals were evaluated in the on medication/on stimulation state as well as off medication/off stimulation state. Results: PT was safe as there were no serious adverse events during treatment. PT was feasible as the average percentage of session attendance was 93%. PT significantly improved balance as measured by the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in the on medication/on stimulation state but did not significantly improve gait. No significant differences between groups were found in the off medication/off stimulation state. Discussion and Conclusions: PT was safe, feasible, and may improve balance for individuals with PD with STN-DBS. Further work is needed to understand how modifying the frequency and intensity of PT interventions may impact balance and gait in individuals with STN-DBS.
AB - Background and Purpose: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) effectively treats some of the motor manifestations of Parkinson disease (PD). However, previous work suggests STN-DBS may lead to worsening of balance and gait in some people with PD. Physical therapy (PT) is often used to improve balance and gait in PD, but its safety, feasibility, and efficacy have not been tested in people with STN-DBS. The purpose of this study was to test the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of PT for improving gait and balance in persons with PD and STN-DBS. Methods: This randomized pilot study compared the effects of an 8-week PT intervention (n = 15) on balance and gait to a usual care control group (n = 14) among people with PD with STN-DBS. Individuals were evaluated in the on medication/on stimulation state as well as off medication/off stimulation state. Results: PT was safe as there were no serious adverse events during treatment. PT was feasible as the average percentage of session attendance was 93%. PT significantly improved balance as measured by the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in the on medication/on stimulation state but did not significantly improve gait. No significant differences between groups were found in the off medication/off stimulation state. Discussion and Conclusions: PT was safe, feasible, and may improve balance for individuals with PD with STN-DBS. Further work is needed to understand how modifying the frequency and intensity of PT interventions may impact balance and gait in individuals with STN-DBS.
KW - balance
KW - deep brain stimulation
KW - gait
KW - Parkinson disease
KW - physical therapy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105006741111&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000519
DO - 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000519
M3 - Article
C2 - 40343851
AN - SCOPUS:105006741111
SN - 1557-0576
JO - Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
JF - Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy
M1 - 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000519
ER -