Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus improves pain in Parkinson's disease

Background In Parkinson's disease (PD), chronic pain is a common symptom which markedly affects the quality of life. Some physiological arguments proposed that Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus (STN-DBS) could improve pain in PD. Methods We investigated in 58 PD patients the effect of STN-DBS on pain using the short McGill Pain Questionnaire and other pain parameters such as the Bodily discomfort subscore of the Parkinson's disease Questionnaire 39 and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale section II (UPDRS II) item 17. Results All pain scores were significantly improved 12 months after STN-DBS. This improvement was not correlated with motor improvement, depression scores or l -Dopa reduction. Conclusions STN-DBS induced a substantial beneficial effect on pain in PD, independently of its motor effects and mood status of patients.