Long-term effect of deep brain stimulation for essential tremor on activities of daily living and health-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
To report long-term effects of thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on activities of daily living (ADL) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with essential tremor (ET).


METHODS
Nineteen consecutive patients were evaluated at baseline, at a mean of 1 year, then at a mean of 7 years after DBS using Tremor Rating Scale, Mini Mental Test, ADL Taxonomy, Nottingham Health Profile, Life Satisfaction Checklist, Visual Analogue Scale and interview.


RESULTS
There was a decrease of DBS efficacy on tremor between 1 and 7 years post-operatively. The marked improvement in ADL at 1 year was no longer sustained at long-term, except for the ability to eat. Social life remained improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there is a decrease of DBS effect on tremor at 7 years, and even though further ageing and co-morbidities may impact on the well-being of patients, there is still relevant benefit of DBS on few aspects of ADL and HRQoL in patients with ET.
Hariz
G-M
GM
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Section of Occupational Therapy, Umeå University, Sweden. gun-marie.hariz@neuro.umu.se
Blomstedt
P
P
Koskinen
L-O D
LO
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D020329:Essential Tremor / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013788:Thalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome