On the morning of October 20, 2025, the operating theatre at King’s College Hospital in London was filled not only with the usual beeps and whirrs of medical equipment, but also with the clear, mellow notes of a clarinet. Denise Bacon, a 65-year-old retired speech and language therapist from Crowborough in East Sussex, was at the center of this extraordinary scene. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, Bacon had watched her world shrink as the condition steadily undermined her ability to walk, swim, dance, and—perhaps most heartbreakingly—play her beloved clarinet. But as surgeons delivered electrical stimulation deep into her brain, she found her fingers dancing once again across the keys, the music returning as instantly as the current flowed.
The procedure Bacon underwent is known as deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical intervention reserved for patients with movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease when medications no longer suffice. According to King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, DBS involves implanting electrodes into precise areas of the brain. The electrodes are connected to a pulse generator, much like a pacemaker, which delivers electrical impulses designed to modulate abnormal brain activity and relieve symptoms such as tremor, stiffness, and slowness of movement.
For Bacon, the prospect of regaining her dexterity was more than a medical goal—it was a personal mission. "As a keen clarinettist, it was suggested that 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," explained Professor Keyoumars Ashkan, the neurosurgeon who led the operation, as quoted by BBC News.
The surgery itself lasted four hours. Bacon was given a local anaesthetic to numb her scalp and skull, but remained awake throughout so her responses could be monitored in real time. The brain, notably, has no pain receptors, making such awake procedures possible. Surgeons made holes half the size of a five pence piece in her skull, guided by a specialized frame that acted as a “sat nav” to ensure absolute precision. Once the electrodes were placed on the left side of her brain, the team switched on the current—and immediately, Bacon’s right hand responded.
"Once the electrodes were in place on the left side of Denise’s brain, the current was switched on and 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," Professor Ashkan recounted to PA Media. The improvement was not merely visible; it was audible. Bacon, who had played with the East Grinstead Concert Band until forced to stop five years prior, picked up her clarinet and played a tune. When Ashkan asked her about the stiffness in her fingers, she replied, "No, not too bad." It was a simple exchange, but it spoke volumes about the procedure’s impact.
The real-time feedback was invaluable for the surgical team. "We were delighted to see an instant improvement in her hand movements, and therefore her ability to play, once stimulation was delivered to the brain," Ashkan told King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. For Bacon, the results were just as immediate and profound. "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," she shared with BBC News. "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 technical aspects of the procedure are as remarkable as its results. The electrodes implanted in Bacon’s brain are connected to a rechargeable pulse generator battery, placed in her chest. This device can last up to 20 years before needing replacement and is capable of monitoring brain activity, automatically adjusting the stimulation as required. Such advances represent a significant leap in the personalization and longevity of DBS therapy. According to Professor Ashkan, "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."
Bacon’s journey to the operating table was shaped by years of struggle with Parkinson’s symptoms. Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and muscle stiffness had gradually eroded her physical abilities and independence. Before surgery, even the simple act of playing music became a hurdle too high. But on that October day, as electrical impulses coursed through her brain, the connection between mind and music was restored. The moment was captured on video and shared by King’s College Hospital, allowing the world a glimpse into the intersection of medicine and artistry.
DBS is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease, but it is one of the most effective, evidence-based, and long-lasting therapies for controlling its motor symptoms. The procedure is reserved for selected patients—typically those whose symptoms are no longer adequately managed by medication. While not everyone is a candidate, for those like Bacon, the potential rewards can be transformative. As Professor Ashkan put it, "Deep brain stimulation is one of the most effective, evidence-based and long-lasting therapies to control the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, improving tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement."
The surgery was a collaborative effort, involving a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, neuropsychologists, nurses, and theatre staff. Their collective expertise ensured that every step—from the placement of the electrodes to the monitoring of Bacon’s responses—was executed with precision and care. The use of music as a real-time gauge of success added a unique, human dimension to the surgical process. The team’s delight was palpable as Bacon’s fingers, once stiff and unresponsive, moved freely across the clarinet’s keys.
Bacon’s story has resonated far beyond the walls of King’s College Hospital. Media outlets including BBC, PA Media, and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have highlighted her experience, underscoring both the challenges faced by those living with Parkinson’s and the promise offered by advances in neurosurgery. The sight—and sound—of a patient reclaiming her music in the midst of brain surgery is a powerful testament to human resilience and the ingenuity of modern medicine.
For Denise Bacon, the journey is not over. She is already looking forward to returning to the swimming pool and the dance floor, eager to rediscover the activities that Parkinson’s had threatened to take away. Her clarinet, once silenced by disease, now serves as a symbol of hope and possibility—not just for her, but for countless others navigating the uncertainties of Parkinson’s.
Sometimes, the most extraordinary breakthroughs are measured not in numbers or charts, but in the simple, joyful return of a song.
