A pilot trial of square biphasic pulse deep brain stimulation for dystonia: The BIP dystonia study

Leonardo Almeida, Daniel Martinez-Ramirez, Bilal Ahmed, Wissam Deeb, Sol De Jesus, Jared Skinner, Matthew J. Terza, Umer Akbar, Robert S. Raike, Chris J. Hass, Michael S. Okun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Dystonia often has inconsistent benefits and requires more energy-demanding DBS settings. Studies suggest that squared biphasic pulses could provide significant clinical benefit; however, dystonia patients have not been explored. Objectives: To assess safety and tolerability of square biphasic DBS in dystonia patients. Methods: This study included primary generalized or cervical dystonia patients with bilateral GPi DBS. Square biphasic pulses were implemented and patients were assessed at baseline, immediately postwashout, post–30-minute washout, 1 hour post- and 2 hours postinitiation of investigational settings. Results: Ten participants completed the study. There were no patient-reported or clinician-observed side effects. There was improvement across time on the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (χ2 = 10.7; P = 0.031). Similar improvement was detected in objective gait measurements. Conclusions: Square biphasic stimulation appears safe and feasible in dystonia patients with GPi DBS. Further studies are needed to evaluate possible effectiveness particularly in cervical and gait features.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)615-618
Number of pages4
JournalMovement Disorders
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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