Investigating the usage of allied health services in people with Parkinson’s disease
following deep brain stimulation to the subthalamic nucleus.

Overview of study

Australian Catholic University is conducting an online survey study to investigate to what extent people with Parkinson’s disease following deep brain stimulation to the subthalamic nucleus are accessing allied health services.

A secondary aim is to identify the potential facilitators to aid accessibility to these services. Your participation will help to identify what services you believe should be prioritised for your community to best address your symptoms and how to optimally deliver these services to improve overall quality of life.

This online survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, and this study has been approved by the ACU Human and Research Ethics Committee (2025-4513SAP)

Participant Criteria:

• Are aged over 18 years old
• Received Deep Brain Stimulation to the subthalamic nucleus
• Being greater than 1 year post deep brain stimulation surgery

How to Sign Up and Contact Information

For more information or to participate in this survey, click the link below:
https://acu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_20ozqX29dW3LCfk

CURIOUS Study

Overview of Study

This study is being run by researchers at The University of Melbourne (Vascular Bionics Laboratory, led by Professor Nick Opie and team). They want to hear from people living with movement disorders and those who care for them.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a treatment for movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremor.

It uses thin wires placed in the brain, connected to a small device (like a pacemaker) that sends tiny electrical signals to help control symptoms.

The research team wants to understand:

• What matters most to people when thinking about DBS
• What questions or worries they have
• How DBS and similar treatments affect them and their families

Your views will help guide the design of future DBS treatments, including less invasive options.

Participant Criteria 

• 18 years or older, and
• Have a movement disorder(e.g. Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor), and one of these applies:
• You are considering DBS, or
• You have DBS now, or
• You had DBS in the past
• You need to be able to give informed consent and take part in an interview by phone, online, or in person.

What Participation Entails

Take part in one interview (about 30-60 minutes) This may be:

• By telephone,
• Online (video call), or
• Face-to-face, either one-on-one or in a small group (up to 5 people)

Researchers will ask about:

• Your experience of movement disorders
• Your thoughts and feelings about DBS and similar treatments
• What is important to you in daily life

With your permission, the interview will be audio recorded. The recording will be written out, and your name will not be used. Taking part will not affect your medical care.

To thank you for your time you will be given a supermarket voucher by the researcher. For in person attendance reasonable travel costs will be re-imbursed.

How to Sign Up

Please contact Christin Mathew, Vascular Bionics Laboratory, The University of Melbourne.
Phone: 0480 556 824