Dystonia is a group of movement disorders characterized by twisting, repetitive movements, or abnormal postures caused by involuntary muscle contractions and is characterized by a young age of onset and a high disability rate. Early intervention can reduce disability incidence, improve the patient's quality of life, and reduce the burden on families and society. Multiple international guidelines on dystonia have found deep brain stimulation (DBS) to be a safe and effective treatment for refractory dystonia. The globus pallidal internus (GPi) is the mostly widely used target for dystonia. However, there are limitations on the GPi DBS treatment, including slow onset of beneficial effects, poor improvement of axis symptoms, and potential stimulation-related side effects. Previous studies have described the highly successful use of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) in patients with refractory dystonia, suggesting that STN DBS is an effective and persisting alternative to pallidal deep brain stimulation. However, all STN DBS treated cases have been analyzed in open-label uncontrolled cohort studies, leading to limited data with a high level of evidence on the STN DBS in dystonia. Further, the investigators hypothesized STN has potentially more effectiveness when compared with GPi, and may be more power-saving and quick-acting. In this study, the investigators will organize a prospective randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study comparing active versus sham stimulation in isolated segmental or generalized dystonia to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of STN DBS by measuring the impact on motor status, mental status, quality of life, the rate of response of the patients (the number of patients with ≥30% improvement in the movement score on the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale) and the rate of adverse events during the trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
38
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been in use to treat patients with movement disorders since 1989, with many thousands of publications showing its effectiveness. DBS for dystonia received the US FDA mark in 2003 and China FDA mark in 2016. In this study, the DBS system devices are manufactured and donated by SceneRay (Suzhou, China). The Stimulator System is implanted by a qualified neurosurgeon and consists of three implantable components: the leads, the extension wires and the neurostimulator. The DBS programming will start within 1 week after the surgery completed.
Shanghai Ruijin Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
RECRUITINGThe change from baseline to 3 months after stimulation of Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) score
The scale consists of a movement and disability subscale with scores ranging from 0 to 120 and 0 to 30, respectively, higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: Baseline; 3months after stimulation
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
The AIMS is a 12-item clinician-rated scale to assess severity of dyskinesias. These items are rated on a five-point scale of severity from 0-4. The scale is rated from 0 (none), 1 (minimal), 2 (mild), 3 (moderate), 4 (severe). Two of the 12 items refer to dental care.
Time frame: Baseline; 1 week, 1 month and 3months after stimulation
36-item Short-Form General Health survey (SF-36)
SF-36 is a measure of health-related quality-of-life with a 36-item patient-reported questionnaire that covers eight health domains. Higher scores indicate a more favorable health state.
Time frame: Baseline; 1 week, 1 month and 3months after stimulation
Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI)
BDI contains 21 questions, each answer being scored on a scale value of 0 to 3. Higher total scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline; 1 week, 1 month and 3months after stimulation
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
BAI contains 21 questions, each answer being scored on a scale value of 0 to 3. Higher total scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline; 1 week, 1 month and 3months after stimulation
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
MoCA scores range between 0 and 30. A score of 26 or over is considered to be normal. Lower scores indicate more disability.
Time frame: Baseline; 3months after stimulation
Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)
A detailed computerized cognitive battery selected from CANTAB includes: Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) and Spatial working memory (SWM) for executive function; Motor screening task (MOT) and a five-choice series selection task for attention; Paired associates learning (PAL) and Pattern recognition memory (PRM) for memory.
Time frame: Baseline; 3months after stimulation
The rate of response
The number of patients with ≥30% improvement in the movement score on the BFMDRS
Time frame: 1 week, 1 month and 3months after stimulation
The rate of adverse event (AE)
Time frame: Within 1 week after surgery; 1 week, 1 month and 3months after stimulation
Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS)
The scale consists of a movement and disability subscale with scores ranging from 0 to 120 and 0 to 30, respectively, higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: 1 week and 1 month after stimulation
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