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Deep brain stimulation – effects on swallowing function in P arkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Kulneff L.,
Sundstedt S.,
Olofsson K.,
van Doorn J.,
Linder J.,
Nordh E.,
Blomstedt P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/ane.12019
Subject(s) - swallowing , deep brain stimulation , subthalamic nucleus , medicine , dysphagia , parkinson's disease , stimulation , anesthesia , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , disease
Objective In patients with P arkinson's disease ( PD ), deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus ( STN DBS ) is well recognized in improving limb function, but the outcome on swallowing function has rarely been studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of STN DBS on pharyngeal swallowing function in patients with PD using self‐estimation and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Methods Eleven patients (aged 41–72, median 61 years) were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months after STN DBS surgery. All patients were evaluated with self‐estimation on a visual analogue scale, and eight of them with a fiberoptic endoscopic examination with a predefined swallowing protocol including R osenbek's P enetration‐ A spiration S cale, S ecretion S everity S cale, preswallow spillage, pharyngeal residue, and pharyngeal clearance. Results The self‐assessments of swallowing function revealed a subjective improvement with STN DBS stimulation, whereas the data from the swallowing protocol did not show any significant effect of the STN DBS treatment itself. The prevalence of aspiration was not affected by the surgery. Conclusions The results show that swallowing function was not negatively affected by STN DBS and the risk of aspiration did not increase. Self‐estimation of swallowing function showed a subjective improvement due to stimulation.