From the Perspective of the Patients: Impact of DBS-STN on Communication

Ahlberg E, Laakso K, Hartelius…Perceived Changes in Communication as an Effect of STN Surgery in Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study, Parkinsons Dis. 2011;2011:540158. Epub 2011 Aug 14.

DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) patients voiced their concerns about the perceived changes in their communication as a result of DBS surgery. The aim of this study was to explore four individuals' perspective of the way their speech and communication changed as a result of Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS-STN) treatment for Parkinson's disease

All four of the individuals thought that DBS-STN improved their quality of life overall and that it was their only treatment option for improvement at this time. All four of the study participants had improvements in motor symptoms (increased mobility and reduced tremor) with DBS-STN. However, all four experienced negative speech and communication side effects .

Three themes emerged in the study:

1.     Increased and unexpected communication difficulties

Weak and monotonous voice

Vulnerable speech function affects intelligibility 

Stuttering

Difficulty reading and writing

Changed auditory feedback

Mental fatigue

Freezing of the mind

2.     Strategies to improve communication

 

Speech techniques

 

Communicative partners' support

 

Changing medical and stimulation parameters

 

3.     Mixed feelings surrounding the surgery 

 

An unavoidable, drastic decision

 

Improved quality of life

 

Uncertainty and lack of information

 

 

A Link to the Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21876840

A Link to the Full Text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3159130/?tool=pubmed

A Link to a Summary of the Study Prepared by DBS-STN.ORG: http://www.dbs-stn.org/research-details.php?ID=125