Objective: To study the utility of multiple programme groups of DBS parameters in the parkinson disease patients following up in our hospital in the last 3yrs

Background: With the introduction of new patient programmer devices in last few years, there are more options in DBS programming like multiple groups. Clinicians can program upto 4 set of therapy parameters with various combinations of different contacts, frequency, pulse width, mono or bipolar stimulation. Patients, their caregivers need to be trained to use the patient programmer for selecting a group from the 4 groups. It allows them to adjust the current or voltage within the limits set by the programming clinician. It gives them the freedom to adjust the parameters over time or they can target particular programme setting for a specific activity of daily living. 

Methods: PD patients who were following up regularly for DBS programming at our centre in the last 3yrs were included in the study and retrospective analysis of usage of the groups & their programming parameters were done. 

Results: 33 PD patients post DBS, who were following up regularly at our centre in last 3yrs were included in the study. 22 of them had newer generation Activa  and 2 had Vercise device, whereas 9 had old generation kinetra device. All 24 patients on newer devices were programmed to have multiple groups, out of which 18 (75%) patients had tried different groups over time with adjustment of the current. Amongst the 18 patients,  4 patients were actively using different settings in a group to target specific activity of daily living like for example using group with low frequency stimulation during walking etc. Constant variable in groups of all the 24 patients programmed was the frequency parameter (100%), followed by different contacts in 12 patients (50%), mono or bipolar stimulation in 4 (16.7%) and interleaving in 3 (12.5%) patients. Out of 6 patients (25%) who were not toggling with the groups, some were doing well on one programme group, whereas few were not comfortable to use the patient programmer. Programming with multiple groups improved patient, caregivers’ involvement in the adjustment of the DBS parameters, reduced the hospital visits, travel costs.

Conclusions: Advanced programming like setting up multiple groups is a useful tool to improve the overall efficacy of the DBS therapy by empowering and involving the patients, caregivers in adjusting their stimulation parameters.

« Back to 2017 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/advanced-dbs-programming-multiple-groups-3yrs-experience/