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Xie H, Liang M, Mo Y, Schmidt C, Wang C, Chien JH. Comparison Between Effects of Galvanic and Vibration-Based Vestibular Stimulation on Postural Control and Gait Performance in Healthy Participants: A Systematic Review of Cross-Sectional Studies. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:757-793. [PMID: 38148425 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03425-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Electricity and vibration were two commonly used physical agents to provide vestibular stimulation in previous studies. This study aimed to systematically review the effects of galvanic (GVS) and vibration-based vestibular stimulation (VVS) on gait performance and postural control in healthy participants. Five bioscience and engineering databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase, were searched until March 19th, 2023. Studies published between 2000 and 2023 in English involving GVS and VVS related to gait performance and postural control were included. The procedure was followed via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the NIH study quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. A total of 55 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Five studies were good-quality while 49 were moderate-quality and 1 was poor-quality. There were 50 included studies involving GVS and 5 included studies involving VVS. GVS and VVS utilized different physical agents to provide vestibular stimulation and demonstrated similar effects on vestibular perception. Supra-threshold GVS and VVS produced vestibular perturbation that impaired gait performance and postural control, while sub-threshold GVS and VVS induced stochastic resonance phenomenon that led to an improvement. Bilateral vestibular stimulation demonstrated a greater effect on gait and posture than unilateral vestibular stimulation. Compared to GVS, VVS had the characteristics of better tolerance and fewer side effects, which may substitute GVS to provide more acceptable vestibular stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Xie
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Meizhen Liang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yujia Mo
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Cindy Schmidt
- Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Chuhuai Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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2
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Wuehr M, Eder J, Kellerer S, Amberger T, Jahn K. Mechanisms underlying treatment effects of vestibular noise stimulation on postural instability in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy. J Neurol 2024; 271:1408-1415. [PMID: 37973635 PMCID: PMC10896912 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12085-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies indicate that imbalance in patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) may be reduced by treatment with low-intensity noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS). OBJECTIVE To elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying this therapeutic effect. In particular, we determined whether nGVS-induced balance improvements in patients are compatible with stochastic resonance (SR)-a mechanism by which weak noise stimulation can paradoxically enhance sensory signal processing. METHODS Effects of nGVS of varying intensities (0-0.7 mA) on body sway were examined in 19 patients with BVP standing with eye closed on a posturographic force plate. We assumed a bell-shaped response curve with maximal sway reductions at intermediate nGVS intensities to be indicative of SR. An established SR curve model was fitted on individual patient outcomes, and three experienced human raters had to judge whether responses to nGVS were consistent with the exhibition of SR. RESULTS nGVS-induced reductions of body sway compatible with SR were found in 12 patients (63%) with optimal improvements of 31 ± 21%. In 10 patients (53%), nGVS-induced sway reductions exceeded the minimally important clinical difference (optimal improvement: 35 ± 21%), indicative of strong SR. This beneficial effect was more likely in patients with severe vestibular loss (i.e. lower video head impulse test gain; R = 0.663; p = 0.002) and considerable postural imbalance (baseline body sway; R = 0.616; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS More than half of the assessed patients showed robust improvements in postural balance compatible with SR when treated with nGVS. In particular, patients with a higher burden of disease may benefit from the non-invasive and well-tolerated treatment with nGVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Wuehr
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Josefine Eder
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Silvy Kellerer
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamara Amberger
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Jahn
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Schön Klinik Bad Aibling, Bad Aibling, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Electrical stimulation of the peripheral and central vestibular system using noninvasive (galvanic vestibular stimulation, GVS) or invasive (intracranial electrical brain stimulation, iEBS) approaches have a long history of use in studying self-motion perception and balance control. The aim of this review is to summarize recent electrophysiological studies of the effects of GVS, and functional mapping of the central vestibular system using iEBS in awake patients. RECENT FINDINGS The use of GVS has become increasingly common in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of clinical disorders including vestibulopathy and Parkinson's disease. The results of recent single unit recording studies have provided new insight into the neural mechanisms underlying GVS-evoked improvements in perceptual and motor responses. Furthermore, the application of iEBS in patients with epilepsy or during awake brain surgery has provided causal evidence of vestibular information processing in mostly the middle cingulate cortex, posterior insula, inferior parietal lobule, amygdala, precuneus, and superior temporal gyrus. SUMMARY Recent studies have established that GVS evokes robust and parallel activation of both canal and otolith afferents that is significantly different from that evoked by natural head motion stimulation. Furthermore, there is evidence that GVS can induce beneficial neural plasticity in the central pathways of patients with vestibular loss. In addition, iEBS studies highlighted an underestimated contribution of areas in the medial part of the cerebral hemispheres to the cortical vestibular network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Lopez
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience (LNC), FR3C, Marseille, France
| | - Kathleen E. Cullen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 21205 MD, USA
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Wuehr M, Eilles E, Lindner M, Grosch M, Beck R, Ziegler S, Zwergal A. Repetitive Low-Intensity Vestibular Noise Stimulation Partly Reverses Behavioral and Brain Activity Changes following Bilateral Vestibular Loss in Rats. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1580. [PMID: 38002261 PMCID: PMC10669117 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Low-intensity noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) can improve static and dynamic postural deficits in patients with bilateral vestibular loss (BVL). In this study, we aimed to explore the neurophysiological and neuroanatomical substrates underlying nGVS treatment effects in a rat model of BVL. Regional brain activation patterns and behavioral responses to a repeated 30 min nGVS treatment in comparison to sham stimulation were investigated by serial whole-brain 18F-FDG-PET measurements and quantitative locomotor assessments before and at nine consecutive time points up to 60 days after the chemical bilateral labyrinthectomy (BL). The 18F-FDG-PET revealed a broad nGVS-induced modulation on regional brain activation patterns encompassing biologically plausible brain networks in the brainstem, cerebellum, multisensory cortex, and basal ganglia during the entire observation period post-BL. nGVS broadly reversed brain activity adaptions occurring in the natural course post-BL. The parallel behavioral locomotor assessment demonstrated a beneficial treatment effect of nGVS on sensory-ataxic gait alterations, particularly in the early stage of post-BL recovery. Stimulation-induced locomotor improvements were finally linked to nGVS brain activity responses in the brainstem, hemispheric motor, and limbic networks. In conclusion, combined 18F-FDG-PET and locomotor analysis discloses the potential neurophysiological and neuroanatomical substrates that mediate previously observed therapeutic nGVS effects on postural deficits in patients with BVL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Wuehr
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (E.E.); (M.L.); (M.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Eva Eilles
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (E.E.); (M.L.); (M.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Magdalena Lindner
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (E.E.); (M.L.); (M.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Maximilian Grosch
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (E.E.); (M.L.); (M.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Roswitha Beck
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (E.E.); (M.L.); (M.G.); (R.B.)
- Pharmaceutical Radiochemistry, TUM School of Natural Sciences, TU Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Sibylle Ziegler
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany;
| | - Andreas Zwergal
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (M.W.); (E.E.); (M.L.); (M.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Cravo MI, Bernardes R, Castelo-Branco M. Subtractive adaptation is a more effective and general mechanism in binocular rivalry than divisive adaptation. J Vis 2023; 23:18. [PMID: 37505915 PMCID: PMC10405863 DOI: 10.1167/jov.23.7.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The activity of neurons is influenced by random fluctuations and can be strongly modulated by firing rate adaptation, particularly in sensory systems. Still, there is ongoing debate about the characteristics of neuronal noise and the mechanisms of adaptation, and even less is known about how exactly they affect perception. Noise and adaptation are critical in binocular rivalry, a visual phenomenon where two images compete for perceptual dominance. Here, we investigated the effects of different noise processes and adaptation mechanisms on visual perception by simulating a model of binocular rivalry with Gaussian white noise, Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise, and pink noise, in variants with divisive adaptation, subtractive adaptation, and without adaptation. By simulating the nine models in parameter space, we find that white noise only produces rivalry when paired with subtractive adaptation and that subtractive adaptation reduces the influence of noise intensity on rivalry strength and introduces convergence of the mean percept duration, an important metric of binocular rivalry, across all noise processes. In sum, our results show that white noise is an insufficient description of background activity in the brain and that subtractive adaptation is a stronger and more general switching mechanism in binocular rivalry than divisive adaptation, with important noise-filtering properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Inês Cravo
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rui Bernardes
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health (ICNAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Brain Imaging Network of Portugal, Portugal
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Xie H, Song H, Schmidt C, Chang WP, Chien JH. The effect of mechanical vibration-based stimulation on dynamic balance control and gait characteristics in healthy young and older adults: A systematic review of cross-sectional study. Gait Posture 2023; 102:18-38. [PMID: 36871475 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A good dynamic balance control and stable gait played an important role in the daily ambulation, especially for older adults with sensorimotor degeneration. This study aimed to systematically review the effects and potential mechanisms of mechanical vibration-based stimulation (MVBS) on dynamic balance control and gait characteristics in healthy young and older adults. METHOD Five bioscience and engineering databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase, were searched until September 4th, 2022. Studies published between 2000 and 2022 in English and Chinese involving mechanical vibration related to gait and dynamic balance were included. The procedure was followed via the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis method. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the NIH study quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. RESULTS A total of 41 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Eight studies were good-quality while 26 were moderate-quality and 7 were poor-quality. There were six categories of MVBS at various frequencies and amplitudes utilized in included studies, including plantar vibration, focal muscle vibration, Achilles tendon vibration, vestibular vibration, cervical vibration, and vibration on nail of hallux. SIGNIFICANCE Different types of MVBS targeting different sensory systems affected the dynamic balance control and gait characteristics differently. MVBS could be used to provide improvement or perturbation to specific sensory systems, to induce different sensory reweight strategies during gait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyu Xie
- Division of Physical Therapy Education, College of Allied Health Professions, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Huiyan Song
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Cindy Schmidt
- Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Wen-Pin Chang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, UT, USA
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McLaren R, Smith PF, Taylor RL, Niazi IK, Taylor D. Scoping out noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation: a review of the parameters used to improve postural control. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1156796. [PMID: 37205050 PMCID: PMC10187481 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1156796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) has been used to facilitate vestibular function and improve gait and balance in people with poor postural control. The aim of this scoping review is to collate, summarize and report on the nGVS parameters that have been used to augment postural control. Method A systematic scoping review was conducted up to December 2022. Data were extracted and synthesized from 31 eligible studies. Key nGVS parameters were identified, and the importance of these parameters and their influence on postural control evaluated. Results A range of nGVS parameters have been used to augment postural control, including; noise waveform, amplitude, frequency band, duration of stimulation, method of amplitude optimization, size and composition of electrodes and the electrode skin interface. Conclusion Systematic evaluation of the individual parameters that can be manipulated in the nGVS waveform identified that a broad array of settings have been utilized in each parameter across the studies. Choices made around the electrode and electrode-skin interface, as well as the amplitude, frequency band, duration and timing of the waveform are likely to influence the efficacy of nGVS. The ability to draw robust conclusions about the selection of optimal nGVS parameters to improve postural control, is hindered by a lack of studies that directly compare parameter settings or consider the variability in individuals' response to nGVS. We propose a guideline for the accurate reporting of nGVS parameters, as a first step toward establishing standardized stimulation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth McLaren
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Ruth McLaren,
| | - Paul F. Smith
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Rachael L. Taylor
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Imran Khan Niazi
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre of Chiropractic Research, New Zealand College of Chiropractic, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Sensory-Motor Interactions, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Denise Taylor
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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McLaren R, Smith PF, Taylor RL, Ravindran S, Rashid U, Taylor D. Efficacy of nGVS to improve postural stability in people with bilateral vestibulopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1010239. [PMID: 36248647 PMCID: PMC9553993 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1010239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) has been used to boost vestibular afferent information to the central nervous system. This has the potential to improve postural control for people for whom vestibular signals are weak, such as in bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the evidence for nGVS as a modality to improve postural control in people with BVP. Methods A comprehensive systematic search was conducted of five databases up to July 2022 to find studies applying nGVS to people with BVP, with the aim of improving postural control. Two independent reviewers screened and identified eligible studies, completed a risk of bias evaluation (Cochrane) and extracted relevant data. The standardized mean difference (SMD) based on Hedges' g was calculated as a measure of effect size for the primary outcome measure that best identified postural control, and a forest plot generated. Results Seven studies met the eligibility criteria, with five being suitable for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed a moderate effect in favor of nGVS improving postural control during standing and walking [pooled SMD = 0.47 95% CI (0.25, 0.7)]. nGVS-mediated improvements in postural control were most evident in observations of reduced sway velocity when standing on a firm surface with eyes closed, and in the reduced variability of gait parameters, particularly those measuring lateral stability. Conclusions Coincident nGVS in people with BVP improves postural control during standing and walking. This improvement appears to be context specific, in that vestibular augmentation is most effective in situations where visual inputs are limited, and where reliable context specific proprioceptive cues are available. Further research is warranted investigating additional circumstances in which nGVS improves postural control, including investigating the residual, and sustained effects of nGVS. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=342147, identifier: 342147.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth McLaren
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Ruth McLaren
| | - Paul F. Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rachael L. Taylor
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Physiology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Shobika Ravindran
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Usman Rashid
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Denise Taylor
- Rehabilitation Innovation Centre, Health and Rehabilitation Research Institute, School of Clinical Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
- Eisdell Moore Centre for Hearing and Balance Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Wuehr M, Schmidmeier F, Katzdobler S, Fietzek UM, Levin J, Zwergal A. Effects of Low-Intensity Vestibular Noise Stimulation on Postural Instability in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2022; 12:1611-1618. [PMID: 35491798 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-213127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postural instability is a major disabling factor in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and often resistant to treatment. Previous studies indicated that imbalance in PD may be reduced by low-intensity noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS). OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mode of action of this therapeutic effect. In particular, we examined whether nGVS-induced reductions of body sway in PD are compatible with stochastic resonance (SR), a mechanism by which weak sensory noise stimulation can paradoxically enhance sensory information transfer. METHODS Effects of nGVS of varying intensities (0-0.7 mA) on body sway were examined in 15 patients with PD standing with eye closed on a posturographic force plate. We assumed a bell-shaped response curve with maximal reductions of sway at intermediate nGVS intensities to be indicative of SR. An established SR-curve model was fitted on individual patient outcomes and three experienced human raters had to judge whether responses to nGVS were consistent with the exhibition of SR. RESULTS nGVS-induced reductions of body sway compatible with SR were found in 10 patients (67%) with optimal improvements of 23±13%. In 7 patients (47%), nGVS-induced sway reductions exceeded the minimally important clinical difference (optimal improvement: 30±10%), indicative of strong SR. This beneficial effect was more likely in patients with advanced PD (R = 0.45; p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS At least half of the assessed patients showed robust improvements in postural balance compatible with SR when treated with low-intensity nGVS. In particular, patients with more advanced disease stages and imbalance may benefit from the non-invasive and well-tolerated treatment with nGVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Wuehr
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Schmidmeier
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabrina Katzdobler
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) e.V., Munich, Germany
| | - Urban M Fietzek
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Schön Klinik München Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Levin
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) e.V., Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Zwergal
- German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders (DSGZ), Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Mitsutake T, Taniguchi T, Nakazono H, Yoshizuka H, Sakamoto M. Effects of Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation on the Muscle Activity and Joint Movements in Different Standing Postures Conditions. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:891669. [PMID: 35721349 PMCID: PMC9202802 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.891669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is an effective method for stabilizing posture; however, little is known regarding the detailed muscle activity and joint movement in the standing posture. This study aimed to clarify the changes in the lower limb muscle activity and joint angular velocity by nGVS intervention using the simultaneous assessment method of inertial measurement units and surface electromyography (EMG). Methods Seventeen healthy participants were assessed for their physical responses under four conditions (standing on a firm surface with eyes-open/eyes-closed, and a foam surface with eyes-open/eyes-closed) without stimulation (baseline) and with stimulation (sham or nGVS). Noise stimuli were applied for 30 s at a level below the perceptual threshold. The body control response was evaluated using EMG activity and angular velocity of the lower limbs. Result Regarding the change from baseline for each parameter, there was a significant interactive effect of EMG activity in the muscle type × intervention and EMG activity and angular velocity in the condition × intervention. Post hoc analysis revealed that the angular velocity was significantly decreased in the abduction-adduction direction in the standing on a foam surface with eyes-closed condition compared to that with eyes-open in the nGVS intervention. Conclusion Our results suggest that nGVS altered physical responses in different standing postural conditions. The present study is exploratory and therefore the evidence should be investigated in future studies specifically target those muscle activities and joint motion parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsubasa Mitsutake
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Science, Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
- *Correspondence: Tsubasa Mitsutake
| | - Takanori Taniguchi
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Science, Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hisato Nakazono
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medical Science, Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hisayoshi Yoshizuka
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Science, Fukuoka International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Maiko Sakamoto
- Faculty of Medicine, Education and Research Center for Community Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
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Voros J, Rise R, Sherman S, Durell A, Anderson AP, Clark TK. A Machine Learning Approach to Identify Stochastic Resonance in Human Perceptual Thresholds. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 374:109559. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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