Effect of subthalamic nucleus stimulation for pain related to Parkinson's disease - STN stimulation for PD-related pain

Several types of pain related to PD, the categories of which were based on a modification of two previous classifications (Ford and Honey), can occur in such patients: 1) musculoskeletal pain, 2) dystonic pain, 3) somatic pain exacerbated by PD, 4) radiculo-peripheral neuropathic pain, and 5) central pain. The overall mean VAS score was significantly decreased by 75% and 69% at 2 weeks and 6 months postoperatively (p 0.001). The mean VAS score at 12 months was also decreased by 80%; however, 6 instances of pain (3 of somatic back pain and 3 of radiculo-peripheral neuropathic pain) required additional spinal surgery to alleviate their severity. The results were analyzed using Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test, and demonstrated a significant reduction in VAS scores at all follow-up assessment times (p<0.001). Musculoskeletal pain and dystonic pain were well alleviated by STN stimulation. In contrast, somatic pain exacerbated by PD and peripheral neuropathic pain originating from lumbar spinal diseases, such as spondylosis deformans and/or canal stenosis, often deteriorated postoperatively despite their motor disability being attenuated. Patients with central pain were poor responders.