Therapeutic effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s disease patients

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on anxiety and depression in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.Methods:The clinical data of 57 patients with PD who underwent bilateral STN-DBS between March and December 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Patient scores on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-Part III (UPDRS-Ⅲ), the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), and the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) were evaluated.Results:Patient evaluations took place preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6-month follow-ups. The average patient improvement rates for HAM-A and HAM-D scores at the 6-month follow-up were 41.7% [interquartile range (IQR) 34.9%] and 37.5% (IQR 33.4%), respectively (both p r = 0.538, p r = 0.404, p = 0.002) at the 6-month follow-up. HAM-A and HAM-D scores were positively correlated with the Parkinson’s Hoehn-Yahr disease stage (r = 0.296, p = 0.025; and r = 0.380, p = 0.004, respectively).Conclusion:Bilateral STN-DBS can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression in PD patients.