It is now possible to remotely supervise treatment with deep brain stimulation for patients suffering from, for example, Parkinson’s disease or essential tremor. Maastricht UMC+ is the first Dutch hospital to make this possible. The first patient started in February 2022 and last week this remote care was set up for eight more patients. For example, patients from all over the Netherlands have to travel to the hospital less often.
Deep Brain Stimulation or Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a treatment method in which electrodes are placed in the brain that deliver electrical signals. These signals suppress symptoms of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia or epilepsy. Maastricht UMC+ is specialized in DBS.
DBS setting
To reduce symptoms, the electrical signals stimulate parts of the brain a few millimeters in size. The way in which the electrodes deliver signals is therefore very close. The DBS system is therefore set up in the hospital using extensive testing. But even after hospitalization, regular adjustments must be made to suppress the complaints even better or to solve problems. For this purpose, patients regularly travel from all over the Netherlands to the MUMC+ for the rest of their lives.
Virtual Clinic
Abbott, one of the largest manufacturers of DBS equipment, developed a new technique – called NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic. This works via a secure app. After the patient has been extensively set up in the hospital and is back at home, the doctor can connect to the neurostimulator via this app, and thus make any adjustments to the settings of the DBS system. The patient must always give permission in advance for this via the app. The patient can also adjust the neurostimulator settings themselves, within limits set by the physician.
First patient in the Benelux
In February of this year, the virtual clinic was set up for the first time in the Benelux for a patient with DBS for essential tremor. This is a condition in which the patient trembles violently for no apparent neurological reason. The DBS can largely eliminate trembling, with a major positive effect on the patient’s quality of life. The next eight patients are also treated with DBS for movement disorders such as essential tremor.
Innovation
Mirella Waber, a nurse specialist specialized in DBS and point of contact for these patients: ‘We expect patients to be very happy with this innovation. The regular visits to the MUMC+ mean a considerable burden. It quickly takes patients at least half a day. For some patients, traveling is also very physically demanding. In addition, it is another great step in the digitization of healthcare: working more remotely if possible and desired, thus creating space for patients who need or want to be treated in hospital.’
Also view the item from RTL Nieuws about patient Albert, with an explanation from our nurse specialist Mirella Waber.