The questions patients and families ask us most often about dystonia and deep brain stimulation, answered briefly with sources. Each answer links to a page with more detail.
What is dystonia?
A movement disorder in which muscles contract involuntarily, causing twisting movements, abnormal postures, tremor and often pain. See what is dystonia.
What is DBS for dystonia?
A surgical treatment in which electrodes in the globus pallidus or subthalamic nucleus deliver adjustable stimulation that reduces dystonia. See DBS for dystonia.
What is the success rate of DBS for dystonia?
About 50–70% average improvement in isolated dystonia, 76% in tardive dystonia, and about 24% in dyskinetic cerebral palsy.[1][2][3] See success rates.
Does DBS work for cervical dystonia?
Yes: 58.8% average improvement and 46.6% less pain in a pooled analysis of 208 patients.[1]
Does DBS work for Meige syndrome?
Yes: about 60% improvement at 12 months in a randomized double-blind trial.[4]
Should I say Meige syndrome or orofacial dystonia?
Meige syndrome is blepharospasm plus lower face or jaw dystonia. Orofacial dystonia is the umbrella term. See Meige syndrome.
Does DBS work for DYT1 dystonia?
Yes, best of all genetic dystonias: 68% average motor improvement.[5]
Does DBS work for tardive dyskinesia?
Yes. A meta-analysis found 62% improvement on the involuntary movement scale.[2]
How long does it take for DBS to work in dystonia?
Jerky movements and pain often improve within weeks; fixed postures over 3–12 months.
Is DBS safe?
Serious complications are uncommon and most stimulation side effects are reversible. In our own case series the infection rate is 1.6%.
Will I be awake during surgery?
No. DBS for dystonia at our center is done under general anesthesia.
Is there an age limit for DBS?
No fixed limit. Children and older adults are evaluated individually.
Do I need an MRI to contact you?
No. A video and your reports are enough for the first review.
How much does DBS cost in Turkey?
An all-inclusive DBS package at our center typically ranges between USD 30,000 and USD 45,000, depending on the package and the type of device selected. The final figure is confirmed after your evaluation.
How long will I stay in Istanbul?
18 days in the standard program; about 10–14 days in the short program.
Who will program my device after I go home?
Our team, remotely by video call for compatible systems. See surgery and recovery.
Sources
- Tsuboi T, Wong JK, Almeida L, et al. A pooled meta-analysis of GPi and STN deep brain stimulation outcomes for cervical dystonia. J Neurol. 2020;267(5):1278–1290. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-09703-9 Source
- Macerollo A, Deuschl G. Deep brain stimulation for tardive syndromes: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol Sci. 2018;389:55–60. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2018.02.013 Source
- Vidailhet M, Yelnik J, Lagrange C, et al. Bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation for the treatment of patients with dystonia-choreoathetosis cerebral palsy: a prospective pilot study. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8(8):709–717. Source
- Globus pallidus internus versus subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation for Meige syndrome: a randomized controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial. J Neurosurg. Published online 2026. Source
- Artusi CA, Dwivedi A, Romagnolo A, et al. Differential response to pallidal deep brain stimulation among monogenic dystonias: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020;91(4):426–433. Source