Deep brain stimulation use in treating multiple sclerosis tremor: A practical approach for meta-analyses

Abdullah Serhan; Ahmad Kiwan; Hassan Abushukair; Ahmed Yassin

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2022.103491

Deep brain stimulation use in treating multiple sclerosis tremor: A practical approach for meta-analyses

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Feb:58:103491. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103491. Epub 2022 Jan 2.

Authors

Abdullah Serhan¹, Ahmad Kiwan¹, Hassan Abushukair¹, Ahmed Yassin²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
² Department of Neurosciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Electronic address: amyassin@just.edu.jo.

PMID: 35042091
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103491

Abstract

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been introduced as a treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS) related tremor. Recent emerging studies have investigated its efficacy and safety, yet no study has systematically assessed the evidence on this topic. Zali and colleagues have conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the use of DBS in MS tremor patients. In this letter, we highlight some points in their meta-analysis regarding high heterogeneity levels that reflect some methodological concerns related to pooling studies with considerable variability. We also suggest some approaches to address this problem.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Deep Brain Stimulation*
Humans
Meta-Analysis as Topic
Multiple Sclerosis* / complications
Multiple Sclerosis* / therapy
Treatment Outcome
Tremor / etiology
Tremor / therapy