Understanding Activa Parkinson’s Control Therapy
After the successful operation of its first patient, the Philippine Movement Disorder (PhilMove) group has receive numerous queries from people regarding the Activa Parkinson’s Control Therapy treatment.
“Many people have called up and visited our office to inquire about the treatment.” Said Dr. Dominic Jamora of PhilMove. “Their questions ranged from the most technical to the most practical.”
The technical aspect
Dr. Jamora said that many of the questions centered on how it helps control control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
“We explain to them that Activa Parkinson’s Control Therapy involves the surgical implementation of an electrode deep within the brain.
The electrodes are connected to a battery-operated pulse generator that is embedded underneath the skin of the chest and generate electrical currents that is delivered to the targeted area in the brain,” he explained.
The implanted device consist of a lead, extension and neurostimulator.
“The lead is a thin insulated wire with electrodes at the tip. It is connected to an extension that is implanted under the skin from the head, down the neck and into the upper chest. This extension is likewise connected to a neurostimulator, a small device that is similar to a pacemaker. This produces the electrical pulses that are delivered to a patient’s normal movement,” Dr. Jamora said.
The Activa Parkinson’s Control Therapy likewise involves the use of a programmer, which the patient’s doctor uses to adjust the stimulation according to a patient’s need, and a hand-held magnet, which is used to turn the stimulator on or off.
“Turning on the pulse generator alleviates the patient’s symptoms such as muscle stiffness, slowness of movement, and tremors, among others,” Dr. Jamora said.
The Activa Parkinson’s Control Therapy procedure is administered by a team that consist of a stereotatic neurosurgeon, a neurosurgeon, neurologist, neuroanesthesiologist, neuropsychiatrist, neuropsychologist and neurosurgical nurses.
Prior to the implantation of the device, the neurosurgeon uses a head frame and MRI and CT scan machines to target the location in the brain that needs stimulation. While the patient is then administered with anesthesia, he has to remain awake.
“This is to test the amount of stimulation he needs,” Dr. Jamora explained.
The practical aspect
Dr. Jamora said that many inquiries have also been made regarding the post operative treatment.
“We tell them that the length of hospitalization varies from patient to patient and that they need to return to their doctors for follow-up appointments,” he said.
Dr. Jamora added that potential patients and their families have also expressed concerns regarding the detection of the implanted device and its effect on other machines.
“Most of the components of the Activa system are implanted under the skin so they really wouldn’t be noticed under clothes.
Besides, we make sure to implant the device in a place where the patient is most comfortable with,” he explained.
As to whether the implanted components may be affected when they are near electrical devices, Dr. Jamora said: “Being near household appliances will not affect the implanted components. But patients may feel an increase in stimulation when they get near airport security screening machines.”
He advised patients to turn off the Activa system when this happens.
“Like those with pacemakers, patients under the Activa system are given identification cards that they can present to security,” Dr. Jamora added.
Source: Manila Bulletin