Neuromodulation in the rehabilitation of body balance in elderly people with Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: This study compared posture and balance before and after a protocol of Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS) applied once a week for 12 consecutive weeks in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and postural imbalance. After the intervention period, the patients were followed for nine months.

METHODS

In the GVS protocol, the intensity of the electrical current was gradually increased from 1.0 milliamps (mA) to 3.5 mA by the third session, and then maintained at 3.5 mA through the 12th session. The stimulation time increased from 9 min in the first session to 18 min in the second session and subsequently maintained at 30 min from the third session onward. Balance assessments, using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and posturography using a force platform were performed before the intervention, during the intervention in the 6th and 12th weeks, and at 3,6 and 9 months following cessation of the stimulation protocol.

RESULTS

In a blind analysis, all patients showed better results in TUG, BBS, and posturography at the 12th week of stimulation. However, these improvements were not sustained during follow-up. After nine months without stimulation, the gains were lost.

CONCLUSION

GVS proved to be a simple, safe, and effective short-term intervention for improving postural instability in PD patients. However, without continued stimulation, long-term benefits were not maintained.