Can the patient control or adjust the amount of electrical stimulation to the brain according to his needs?
In Deep Brain Stimulation therapy, either the doctor or the patient can adjust the amount of stimulation as needed to optimize tremor relief as well as minimize its side effects. The neurosurgeon uses a specialized computer to adjust multiple stimulation parameters.In addition, the patient uses a hand-held control device that can vary the stimulation activity between high, low and off settings.For example, patients can adjust their stimulation level to high when their tremor increases as a result of stress, or they can turn off their stimulation completely when they go to sleep. (Tremor is usually reduced or ceases with sleep.
In Deep Brain Stimulation therapy, either the doctor or the patient can adjust the amount of stimulation as needed to optimize tremor relief as well as minimize its side effects. The neurosurgeon uses a specialized computer to adjust multiple stimulation parameters. In addition, the patient uses a hand-held control device that can vary the stimulation activity between high, low and off settings. For example, patients can adjust their stimulation level to high when their tremor increases as a result of stress, or they can turn off their stimulation completely when they go to sleep.
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