Watch Parkinson’s patient plays clarinet during deep brain stimulation surgery, shows instant symptom improvement

A 65-year-old retired speech and language therapist, Denise Bacon from Crowborough, East Sussex, showcased a remarkable moment during her Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery by playing the clarinet while electrodes were implanted and activated in her brain.

This innovative procedure, carried out at King’s College Hospital, demonstrated immediate improvements in her motor control, particularly in finger movements, underscoring the effectiveness of DBS in managing Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, Denise experienced bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and rigidity, impairing her ability to walk, swim, dance, and play the clarinet, an activity she deeply cherishes.


The four-hour surgical operation was performed by Professor Keyoumars Ashkan MBE, Professor of Neurosurgery, supported by a multidisciplinary team including a neurologist, neuropsychologist, and specialized nursing staff.

During the procedure, small holes—about half the size of a five pence piece—were meticulously drilled in her skull after securing a frame with precise coordinates, serving as a navigation system to accurately place electrodes into targeted deep brain structures. These electrodes were connected to a pulse generator implanted in the chest, similar to a pacemaker, which delivers electrical impulses to modify brain activity and alleviate motor symptoms.

As the stimulating current was switched on, Denise’s hand movements showed instantaneous improvement. She was able to play the clarinet more easily, directly evidencing the surgery’s success right on the operating table.

Professor Ashkan noted, “ an immediate improvement was noted in hand movements on her right side. The same happened on her left side when we implanted electrodes on the right side of her brain,” according to a report by King’s College Hospital.

Denise, who remained awake under local anesthesia to enable real-time monitoring of symptoms, recounted, “I remember my right hand being able to move with much more ease once the stimulation was applied, and this in turn improved my ability to play the clarinet, which I was delighted with.”

Beyond better finger dexterity, she has also observed enhancements in walking and hopes to resume swimming and dancing in the near future.

The implanted rechargeable pulse generator batteries are designed to last up to 20 years and include smart technology to monitor and adjust brain stimulation automatically based on ongoing brain activity readings, representing an advanced step towards personalized Parkinson’s treatment.

Denise’s case highlights the potential of DBS not only to reduce debilitating symptoms but also to restore patients’ quality of life and beloved activities.