Disparities in DBS Adoption
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Racial and Gender Disparity in Utilising Deep Brain Stimulation
IRAS ID
362825
Contact name
Mahnaz Arvaneh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure where electrodes are implanted into specific areas of the brain, connected to a battery-powered pulse generator that delivers electrical stimulation. DBS is used to help manage symptoms of severe movement disorders like Parkinson's Disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Although DBS can significantly improve symptoms, evidence shows that women and minority ethnic patients are underrepresented among those offered or undergoing the procedure, despite evidence suggesting they benefit equally.
To explore this, we will analyse approximately ten years of anonymised health records from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, a national centre for DBS. The dataset includes around 500 patients who were referred to the STH DBS service and underwent assessment for DBS over approximately the past ten years. It contains demographic information (such as age, gender, and ethnicity), clinical characteristics, socioeconomic indicators, whether DBS was offered, and whether it was accepted.
By examining this dataset, we will assess at which points along the care pathway disparities occur, for example, whether women or minority ethnic patients are less likely to be offered DBS or to proceed to surgery once assessed, and whether demographics differ between those who proceed, decline, or are deemed not eligible. We will also compare our findings with existing literature from the UK, Europe, and the US to provide wider context.
The results will help to identify points along the care pathway where disparities appear, highlighting where additional support or interventions may be needed to improve fairness and consistency within the DBS assessment and decision-making pathway. The findings will also provide lessons for the future development of neurotechnologies, ensuring new treatments are designed and delivered fairly for all patients.
This dataset covers patients who reached DBS assessment; it cannot capture people who were never referred for DBS assessment.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0079
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion