Placebo and Nocebo Effect in Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the degree to which a patient with Parkinson's disease expects therapeutic benefit from STN-DBS influences the magnitude of their improved motor response. Ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's and bilateral STN-DBS were tested after a twelve hour period off his medications and stimulation. Four consecutive UPDRS scores were performed in the following conditions: a) stimulator Off, patient aware; b) Off, patient bund; c) On, patient aware; d) On, patient blind. The following results were obtained. Statistical significance p=0.0001 was observed when comparing main effect On vs. Off, (mean On = 32.55, mean Off =49.15).