Research Article

Bridging the Gaps in Patient Education for DBS Surgery in Parkinson’s Disease

Table 3

A comparison of pre- and postoperative patient expectations from DBS surgery. Expectations listed under “A” are deemed realistic expectations with good chances for improvement following DBS surgery. Reducing PD medications (“B”) following DBS surgery is a realistic expectation depending on the target for electrode placement. Symptoms listed under “C” may or may not improve following DBS surgery.

FeaturePreop. expectation documented
= 14
% (SE)
Desired expectation for having DBS
= 29
% (SE)
Expectation met
= 28
% (SE)
Expectation somewhat met
= 28
% (SE)
Expectation not met
= 28
% (SE)

ATremor35 (9.0)75 (8.3)79 (7.7)3.4 (3.4)
Rigidity10 (5.8)8.8 (7.4)10 (5.8)3.4 (3.4)
Slowness7.1 (5.0)3.4 (3.4)3.4 (3.4)
On-time21 (7.7)21 (7.9)17 (7.1)3.4 (3.4)
Dyskinesias17 (7.1)18 (7.4)21 (7.7)3.4 (3.4)
Dystonia3.4 (3.4)7.1 (5.0)3.4 (3.4)3.4 (3.4)

BReduce medications31 (8.7)21 (7.9)14 (6.5)3.4 (3.4)3.4 (3.4)

CSleep10 (5.8)3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)
Freezing of gait6.9 (4.8)3.6 (3.6)
Speech3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)
Balance3.4 (3.4)3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)
Walking6.9 (4.8)14 (6.7)6.9 (4.8)10 (5.8)
Writing11 (6.0)14 (6.5)
QoL21 (7.9)17 (7.1)3.4 (3.4)
Reduce pain7.1 (5.0)3.4 (3.4)3.4 (3.4)
Eat w/utensils3.6 (3.6)6.9 (4.8)
Use tools3.4 (3.4)
Improve PD11 (6.0)6.9 (4.8)3.4 (3.4)
Ride bike3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)
Use of arm3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)
Normal life3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)
Other24 (8.1)3.6 (3.6)3.4 (3.4)