What does this research mean for the field?

Low-frequency STN-DBS (60–80 Hz) provides superior benefits for sleep quality and anxiety compared to high-frequency stimulation in Parkinson's disease patients. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to compare the effects of high-frequency and low-frequency subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients.

February 27, 2026Open Access

Effects of Different STN-DBS Programming Strategies on Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Retrospective Controlled Study

Key Points

This study aims to compare the effects of high-frequency and low-frequency subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients.
Conducted a retrospective controlled study of 80 Parkinson's disease patients.
Divided participants into high-frequency (130–185 Hz) and low-frequency (60–80 Hz) stimulation groups.
Assessed non-motor symptoms using various scales at baseline and multiple follow-up points.
Analyzed longitudinal changes using linear mixed-effects models.
Both stimulation groups showed significant motor improvement (> 50% UPDRS-III reduction, p< 0.001).
The low-frequency group had greater improvements in sleep quality (PDSS scores by 4.82 points, p< 0.001).
Anxiety scores improved more significantly in the low-frequency group (mean difference of 2.34 points, p=0.002).
Cognitive function (MoCA scores) remained stable with no significant differences between groups.
Depression scores showed similar improvements in both frequency groups.

Abstract

Background: Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) effectively treats motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but optimal programming strategies for non-motor symptom management remain unclear. This study compared the effects of high-frequency versus low-frequency stimulation on sleep disorders, cognitive function, and mood disturbances. Methods: We conducted a retrospective controlled study of 80 PD patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS between September 2023 and May 2025. Patients were divided into high-frequency (130– 185 Hz, n=40) and low-frequency (60– 80 Hz, n=40) groups based on their programming parameters. Sleep quality (Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale, PDSS), cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA), anxiety (Hamilton Anxiety Scale, HAMA), and depression (Hamilton Depression Scale, HAMD) were assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. Linear mixed-effects models analyzed longitudinal changes. Results: Both groups showed significant motor improvement (UPDRS-III reduction > 50%, p< 0.001). The low-frequency group demonstrated superior improvements in PDSS scores compared to high-frequency stimulation (mean difference at 12 months: 4.82 points, 95% CI: 2.15– 7.49, p< 0.001). HAMA scores improved more in the low-frequency group (mean difference: 2.34 points, 95% CI: 0.87– 3.81, p=0.002). MoCA scores remained stable in both groups with no significant between-group differences (p=0.421). HAMD improvements were comparable between groups (p=0.156). Conclusion: Low-frequency STN-DBS (60– 80 Hz) provided superior benefits for sleep quality and anxiety compared to conventional high-frequency stimulation while maintaining equivalent motor and cognitive outcomes. These findings support personalized programming strategies targeting specific non-motor symptoms in PD patients. Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, deep brain stimulation, subthalamic nucleus, non-motor symptoms, programming strategies, sleep disorders, cognitive function, mood disorders

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