Thanks to our groundbreaking trial, Parkinson’s patient Linda Pearcy, 74, was able to realise her dream of getting back on her surfboard alongside her grandchildren.

We’re among the first to trial using electromyography (EMG) as part of deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical technique where electricity is delivered to select areas of the brain via electrodes, used to treat movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dystonia.

Our DBS unit, one of only a handful across the country, has been investigating using EMG, commonly used to diagnose nerve and muscle disorders, to guide the placement of the electrodes in the brain of patients experiencing tremors.

Grandmother-of-six Linda, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 12 years ago, was surfing in Devon just four months after her operation in February this year.

Her son, Russell (pictured below, front left with dad Ian and brother Philip standing behind, and mum Linda seated on the front right, 53, said:

Before surgery her Parkinson’s was getting worse, she couldn’t sleep or go out due to the tremors and spent most of her time stuck indoors. When I was growing up, we used to go on holiday to the same part of Devon, but she hadn’t been able to go on holiday for years, she couldn’t even go out for a meal.

Parkinson’s is a cruel disease, and the social decline was really making her and my dad Ian more isolated. She was scared to death to have the operation, but it was brilliant. She loved going on holiday with her grandkids and being able to go surfing again. She’s pretty remarkable and it was amazing she was able to go in four times. She has a much better quality of life now and can do things she hasn’t been able to for years like go to the shops and do her gardening, she sleeps much better and is staying socially active. We are so grateful for what her surgeon and his team have been able to do for her and will be forever in their debt.

Neurosurgeon Ian Low, who carried out Linda’s EMG-assisted DBS, added:

When I saw Linda, I asked what she was hoping to gain from surgery. Without hesitation she replied that her wish was to be able to surf with her grandchildren.

I’m so pleased this has allowed her to have fun with her family again.

Abbas Donya (pictured below), 73, is another Parkinson’s patient whose life has been transformed following the procedure.

He said:

My tremor was constant and really affected my life. I couldn’t pop to the shops or go out with my family. I would shake so much it was painful.

Since my surgery it is under much better control. It’s made such a difference to my life, my whole body was affected before, now I get to live without constant pain.

Linda and Abbas are among 42 patients who have been treated as part of a study undertaken by our DBS team. It showed use of EMG increased the accuracy of brain electrode placement, leading to greater tremor suppression for patients. The average tremor reduction for conventional DBS is 70%, this rises to 86% for patients undergoing EMG-assisted DBS.

The results of the study will be released later this year.