Application of Thoracic Epidural SCS for Managing FOG in Patients With Advanced Parkinson's Disease

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has proven to be effective for pain that is unresponsive to medication. This technique involves an anesthesiologist or a neurosurgeon placing stimulation electrodes at the thoracic vertebrae to provide pain relief. Although SCS is not currently a standard treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease, recent studies have shown that Parkinson's patients who experience intolerable pain and undergo SCS treatment not only experience pain relief but also show improvements in gait and other Parkinson's symptoms. Therefore, the investigators aim to use temporary, minimally invasive SCS electrodes to help patients with nrFOG (non-responsive Freezing of Gait) improve their stability and reduce their risk of falls.