Pallidal deep-brain stimulation in primary generalized or segmental dystonia

The clinical efficacy and safety of bilateral pallidal deep-brain stimulation for severe primary dystonia in a series of 40 patients who participated in a prospective trial of neurostimulation is reported. In this randomized comparison of the effects of neurostimulation and sham stimulation it was found that bilateral high-frequency stimulation of the internal globus pallidus is efficacious in the reduction of movement impairment and disability in patients with primary generalized or segmental dystonia.