A New Application of Functional Zonal Image Reconstruction in Programming for Parkinson's Disease Treated Using Subthalamic Nucleus–Deep Brain Stimulation

OBJECTIVE: Programming plays an important role in the outcome of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD). This study introduced a new application for functional zonal image reconstruction in programming. METHODS: Follow-up outcomes were retrospectively compared, including first programming time, number of discomfort episodes during programming, and total number of programming sessions between patients who underwent image-reconstruction-guided programming and those who underwent conventional programming. Data from 142 PD patients who underwent subthalamic nucleus (STN)-DBS between January 2017 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 75 conventional programs and 67 image reconstruction-guided programs. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, there was no significant difference in the rate of stimulus improvement or superposition improvement between the two groups. However, patients who underwent image reconstruction-guided programming were significantly better at the first programming time, number of discomfort episodes during programming, and total number of programming sessions than those who underwent conventional programming. CONCLUSION: Imaging-guided programming of directional DBS leads was possible and led to reduced programming time and reduced patient side effects compared with conventional programming.