Investigation of the effect of deep brain stimulation surgery on mobility, emotional status and quality of life in patient with dystonia: Case report

Objective: The aim of our study is to examine the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery on mobility, emotional status, and health –related quality of life (QOL) in patient with dystonia. Background: Dystonia is a clinical syndrome characterized by intermittent and sustained muscle contractions generating involuntary movements or abnormal postures (1). Therapeutic options must be tailored to the needs of individual patients and include chemo denervation with botulinum toxin injections for patients with focal or segmental dystonia, and medical treatments or deep brain stimulation for patients with generalized dystonia (2,3). Methods: This study was carried out on a case of 41‐year‐old female with complaints of neck and arm pain, involuntary contraction for 30 years patient who underwent DBS located in bilateral Globus Pallidus Interna (GPi) in 2010. Global Dystonia Scale (GDS) was used to assess the severity of the patient's dystonia, effects on body parts and functions. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was applied to detect emotional status. 12‐ Meter Walking Test (mobility) and Short Form‐36 (SF‐36) were used to evaluate quality of life. All assessments were repeated prior to surgery, after surgery 1st and 3rd years. Results: Prior to surgery, GDS was 112. Postoperative 1st and 3rd years, GDS was respectively 69/84. Prior to surgery, the total BDI score was 31. Postoperative 1st and 3rd years, GDS was respectively 28/40. 12‐Meter Walking Test results were respectively 18/10/15 sec. for the prior to surgery, postoperative 1st. and 3rd years. General health status and physical function subscales of SF‐36, respectively, prior to surgery were 30/75, postoperative 1st year was 60/85 and 3rd years were 20/35. Conclusions: GPI‐DBS is a surgical procedure, which has positive effect on mobility, emotional status and QOL, in patient with dystonia