FDA Warns of Risks With Deep Brain Stimulation Devices for Parkinson’s Patients

Parkinson’s disease patients using implanted deep brain stimulation devices may be at risk of injury during water-related activities, such as swimming, the FDA said.

Some patients with Parkinson’s disease who use the implanted devices have reported difficulties in performing “complex coordinated movements associated with swimming and may be at risk of drowning,” the FDA warned.

Even experienced swimmers are at risk of a loss of coordination from the devices, the agency said.