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A Decision Aid For
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery
An advanced therapy option for people with Parkinson’s Disease
Tremor – An involuntary, rhythmic shaking of part of the body. It often affects the hands, but can also affect the legs, chin, lips or face.
Bradykinesia – Slowness of movement. Daily activities may take longer.
Rigidity – Muscle stiffness that can occur in any part of the body. It can limit range of motion.
Dyskinesia – involuntary movement that can look like fidgeting, wriggling or body swaying due to long-term levodopa use.
Dystonia – When muscles contract, causing part of the body to curl or twist. Examples include curling of the toes or in turning of the foot.
Postural instability – Trouble with balance making someone unsteady when standing. It increases the risk of falls, especially backwards.
Freezing of gait – Sudden inability to move when walking or feeling like your feet are stuck to the floor.
Motor symptoms – The three main motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremor, bradykinesia and rigidity.
Non-motor symptoms – These are symptoms that are related to Parkinson’s disease but do not cause movement trouble. Some examples include anxiety, depression, memory and thinking changes, constipation, fatigue and urinary frequency and/or urgency.
ON Time – The periods of time when Parkinson’s medications are working well and controlling Parkinson’s symptoms.
OFF Time – The periods of time when Parkinson’s medications have worn off or are not working well and Parkinson’s symptoms return. This can include motor and non-motor symptoms.
Motor fluctuations – Variations throughout the day in motor function. People may have periods of ON time, when medications are working well, alternating with OFF time, when medications are not working well.