RESUMO
Background: The effects of subthalamic nuclear deep brain stimulation therapy (STN-DBS) and combined postoperative rehabilitation for patients with Parkinson's disease with postural instability have yet to be well reported. This study investigated the effects of short-term postoperative rehabilitation with STN-DBS on physical function in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease who were admitted to our hospital for STN-DBS surgery were included in this study. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Postoperative rehabilitation consisted of muscle-strengthening exercises, stretching, and balance exercises for 40-60 minutes per day for approximately 14 days. The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Timed Up and Go test (TUG) seconds and steps, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), seconds for 10 times toe-tapping, lower limb extension torque using StrengthErgo240, and center of pressure sway in the quiet standing posture were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at discharge. Mini-BESTest changes were also evaluated in the two groups classified by the presence or absence of postural instability. One-way and two-way repeated measures analyses of variance were performed for each of the three periods of change, and paired t-tests with the Bonferroni method were performed as multiple comparison tests. A stepwise multiple regression model was used to identify factors associated with balance improvement. Results: A total of 60 patients with Parkinson's disease were included, and there were significant increases in Mini-BESTest, TIS, StrengthErgo240, and postural sway during closed-eye standing compared to pre- and postoperative conditions at discharge (p < 0.05), and they decreased significantly compared to the postoperative period (p < 0.05). On stepwise multiple regression analysis, decreased steps of TUG and improvement of TIS scores were related to improvement of the Mini-BESTest (p < 0.05). In addition, Mini-BESTest scores in both groups with and without postural instability were significantly increased at discharge compared to preoperative and postoperative conditions (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Postoperative rehabilitation combined with STN-DBS may provide short-term improvements in physical function compared with the preoperative medicated status. The improvements in gait step length and trunk function may be important factors for obtaining improvement of postoperative postural stability.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is a surgical treatment to reduce the "off" state motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Postural instability is one of the major impairments, which induces disabilities of activities of daily living (ADLs). The effectiveness of STN-DBS for postural instability is unclear, and the effect of rehabilitation following STN-DBS has remained uncertain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in balance ability, gait function, motor performance, and ADLs following 2 weeks of postoperative rehabilitation in PD patients treated with STN-DBS. METHODS: Sixteen patients were reviewed retrospectively from February 2016 to March 2017. All patients were tested in their "on" medication state for balance and gait performance using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) and the Timed "Up and Go" (TUG) test before the operation, after the operation, and during the discharge period. The UPDRS motor score (UPDRS-III) and Barthel Index (BI) were assessed before the operation and during the discharge period. Rehabilitation focused on muscle strengthening with stretching and proactive balance training. Friedman's test and the post hoc Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used to analyze the balance assessments, and ANOVA and the post hoc Tukey's test were used to analyze gait performance. The significance level was p < 0.05. RESULTS: During the discharge period, the Mini-BESTest and TUG were significantly improved compared with the preoperative and postoperative periods (p < 0.05). There were no differences between preoperative and postoperative periods in the Mini-BESTest (p=0.12) and TUG (p=0.91). The BI and motor sections of the UPDRS did not differ significantly between the preoperative and postoperative periods (p=0.45, p=0.22). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that postoperative rehabilitation improves balance and gait ability in patients with PD treated with STN-DBS.