United States Department of Veterans Affairs
PADRECC and Consortium

DBS IN PD

From:
Okun, M.S., Foote, K.D. A mnemonic for Parkinson disease patients considering DBS: a tool to improve perceived outcome of surgery.
Neurologist. 2004 Sep;10(5):290.

DBS IN PD =

D

Does not cure.

B

Be patient; multiple adjustments

S

Smooths out on/off fluctuations.

I

Improves tremor, stiffness (rigidity), and dyskinesia in most cases, but does not necessarily make them go away.

N

Never improves symptoms that don't respond to your best "on."

P

Programming visits many times during the first 6 months

D

Decreases medications only some of the time.