Neurosurgery
Deep brain stimulators for treatment of Parkinson disease, dystonia or essential tremor
28 March 2025
Published on 28 Mar 2025
Last Updated on 28 Mar 2025
Guidance Recommendations
The Ministry of Health’s Medical Technology Advisory Committee has recommended subsidy for deep brain stimulators (DBS) for the treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) with motor fluctuations, dystonia, or essential tremor (ET), in line with the following criteria:
✓ Patients with dystonia, ET, or PD with motor fluctuations who are inadequately managed with best medical therapy and other treatments as assessed by a multidisciplinary team.
✓ The multidisciplinary team should be specialised in the long-term care of patients with movement disorders, and may include neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and medical social workers.
Funding status
DBS are recommended for inclusion on the MOH Implant Subsidy List (ISL). Listed DBS models are recommended for subsidy when used in line with the abovementioned recommendation