65-year-old Denise Bacon from East Sussex, England, has been living with Parkinson’s for more than a decade. Over time, the illness affected her mobility and coordination, making it harder for her to walk, swim, dance, and even play the clarinet — one of her lifelong passions.
After the surgery, Denise said she was thrilled with the results, calling the experience life-changing. She expressed joy at regaining control of her movements and being able to enjoy music again.
Reflecting on her progress since the operation, she added: “I’m already experiencing improvements in my ability to walk, and I’m keen to get back in the swimming pool, and on the dance floor to see if my abilities have improved there.”
The groundbreaking procedure was performed by Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, a neurosurgeon at King’s College Hospital in London, who specializes in advanced treatments for Parkinson’s patients.
Almost immediately after the electrodes were activated, Denise’s hand movements became smoother and more precise. To everyone’s amazement, she was able to pick up her clarinet and play with newfound ease right there on the operating table.
Professor Ashkan explained the process in detail: “Holes half the size of a five pence piece were made in Denise’s skull after a frame with precise co-ordinates was placed on Denise’s head, acting as a sat nav to guide us to the correct positions within the brain to implant the electrode.”
“The same happened on her left side when we implanted electrodes on the right side of her brain.”
He went on to share that the idea for Denise to play her clarinet during surgery came from her own passion for music and her desire to test whether the treatment truly improved her coordination. “As a keen clarinettist, it was suggested Denise bring her clarinet into the operating theatre to see whether the procedure would improve her ability to play, which was one of Denise’s main goals for the surgery.”
Professor Ashkan described deep brain stimulation as one of the most effective and lasting therapies for managing the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement. He emphasized how advancements in medical technology are allowing for even more precise and personalized treatment.
“Modern advances in DBS technology are now allowing us to personalise the therapy to the needs of our patients, with a positive impact on their quality of life,” he added.
