Effect of high-frequency subthalamic neurostimulation on gait and freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the short- and long-term effects of bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) on gait and freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease and to detect predictors of post-stimulation outcome. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted up to October 2015 using Medline Ovid databases for studies analyzing the effect of bilateral STN-DBS on FOG and/or gait. Sixteen studies with available data for the gait item (no. 29) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and six studies with the FOG item (no. 14) were included. Data were summarized for the following follow-up periods: 6-15, 24-48 and48 mont…