LAUSR

BackgroundDeep-brain stimulation (DBS) programming for dystonia patients is a complex and time-consuming task.ObjectiveTo analyze whether programming a programming paradigm based on patient’s self-adjustment is practical, effective and time saving in dystonia.MethodsWe retrospectively compared dystonia rating scales as well as the time necessary to optimize programming and the number of in-hospital visits in all patients (n = 102) operated at our center who used simple mode (SM) or advanced mode (AM) programming; the latter uses groups of different stimulation parameters and allows the patient and their caregiver to change stimulation groups at home, using the patient remote control.ResultsBoth AM- and SM-allocated patients improved clinically to the same extent after DBS, as assessed by the Burke–Fahn–Marsden (BFM) and the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis (TWSTRS) dystonia rating scales. All subscores improved after DBS without statistically significant differences in improvement between AM and SM (BFM: − 43% vs. − 53%, p = 0.569; TWSTRS: − 63% vs. − 72%, p = 0.781). AM and SM patients reached optimization within a similar median time [5.5 months (95% CI 4.6–6.3) for AM vs. 6.2 months (4.2–7.6) for SM, p = 0.674) but patients on advanced programming needed fewer in-hospital visits to achieve the same improvement [median of 5 visits (95% CI 4–7) for AM vs. 8 visits (7–9) for SM, p = 0.008].ConclusionsAdvanced DBS programming based on patient’s self-adjustment under the supervision of the treating physician is feasible, practical and significantly reduces consultation time in dystonia patients.