Effect of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment on Non-motor Symptoms and Sleep Quality in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on non-motor symptoms (NMS), sleep quality, and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Method: Sixteen PD patients, who had undergone bilateral STN-DBS surgery were enrolled. The patients were assessed at the baseline and 12 months after surgery using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Non-Motor Symptom Questionnaire (NMS-Quest). Results: The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 53.5±3.6 years. There were significant improvements in the levodopa-equivalent daily dose, UPDRS-part-II, UPDRS-part-III, and UPDRS-part-IV at 12 months post-DBS surgery. The NMS-Quest total score at baseline was correlated with the disease duration of the patients (p=0.005 R:0.66). The PSQI score at baseline was significantly associated with a high total UPDRS and HADS score (p=0.03, p=0.004 respectively). There were no significant differences in terms of NMS-Quest total and subdomains thereof and PSQI total score and subdomains thereof, UPDRS-part I, BDI-II and HADS scores between baseline and 12 months post-DBS surgery (p>0.05 for all of them). Conclusion: STN-DBS surgery did not change subjective sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and NMS although it improved motor symptoms, motor fluctuations, and the health-related quality of life