Galvanic vestibular stimulation as a method of evaluation and itervention for anterior and lateral bending posture in Parkinson's disease

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25750246
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Kio University
• Principal Investigator: Okada Yohei 畿央大学, 健康科学部, 助教 (80511568)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: パーキンソン病 / 姿勢異常 / 直流前庭電気刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation(GVS) on the anterior bending posture and lateral bending posture in Parkinson’s disease. Anterior bending posture improved after the GVS and the degree of the improvement was large in the eyes-closed condition. After the GVS, lateral bending posture did not change significantly, but neck tilt with respect to the space significantly improved in the eyes-closed condition. These results suggested that vestibular receptor function remained in Parkinson’s disease patients with anterior and lateral bending posture, and that GVS might be a valuable alternative intervention tool in rehabilitation to improve postural abnormalities in Parkinson’s disease.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学