ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Aging Neurosci.
Sec. Parkinson’s Disease and Aging-related Movement Disorders
This article is part of the Research TopicDeep Brain Stimulation think tank: Updates in neurotechnology and neuromodulation, Volume VIView all 5 articles
Efficacy and safety of robot-assisted versus stereotactic framework deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease: A retrospective study
Provisionally accepted
- Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, China
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Background: This retrospective study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of robot-assisted deep brain stimulation (DBS) versus stereotactic framework DBS for Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The present study constituted a retrospective analysis that integrated a review of medical records with an outcomes management database from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Science and Technology. A total of 32 patients experienced robot-assisted DBS with the Sinovation surgical robot system, while an additional 30 patients underwent stereotactic frame DBS. The primary objective was the accuracy of electrode implantation, whereas the secondary objectives were postoperative UPDRS-Ⅲscores, levodopa equivalent dose (LEDD), and complications. Results: No substantial difference was observed between the two groups concerning sex, age, disease duration, Hoehn-Yahr score, preoperative UPDRS-III scores, and preoperative LEDD. In comparison to stereotactic framework DBS, robot-assisted DBS demonstrated a markedly reduced average targeting error (1.43 ± 0.51 mm vs 1.91 ± 1.38 mm, P=0.034). Moreover, robot-assisted DBS demonstrated a markedly greater reduction in UPDRS-III scores and a decrease in LEDD at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. No fatalities or lasting complications due to surgery were detected in either group during the study period. Conclusion: In comparison to stereotactic framework DBS, robot-assisted DBS demonstrated notable benefits in electrode implantation precision, UPDRS-Ⅲscores, and LEDD. Robot-assisted deep brain stimulation with the Sinovation surgical robot system was recommended for the management of Parkinson's disease.
Keywords: Deep Brain Stimulation, Electrode implantation accuracy, Levodopa equivalent dose, Parkinson's disease, Robot-assisted, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
Received: 05 Sep 2025; Accepted: 30 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Mo, Wang, Liang, Liang, Quan, Xie and Meng. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Zhengde Xie
Lian Meng
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