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. 2025 Mar;83(3):1-8.
doi: 10.1055/s-0045-1806812. Epub 2025 Apr 22.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation to rehabilitate postural instability in Parkinson's disease

Anna Paula Batista de Ávila Pires  1   2 , Ludimila Labanca  2   3 , Paulo Pereira Christo  4   5 , Maurício Campelo Tavares  6 , Jordana Carvalhais Barroso  2 , Maria Luiza Diniz  2 , Denise Utsch Gonçalves  1   2
Affiliations

Galvanic vestibular stimulation to rehabilitate postural instability in Parkinson's disease

Anna Paula Batista de Ávila Pires et al. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is a non-invasive technique employed to rehabilitate balance by delivering low-intensity, short-duration electrical stimulation to the mastoid bones, effectively activating the vestibulospinal tract.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of GVS on balance in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and postural instability.

Methods: In this clinical study, 25 PD patients with postural instability in the ON phase (best effect of dopaminergic medication) underwent GVS. Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and posturography on a force platform. Electrical current intensity was progressively increased between the mastoids, starting at 1.0 mA and reaching 3.5 mA by the 6th session, with this level maintained until the 8th session. Stimulation duration began at 9 minutes in the 1st session, increased to 30 minutes by the 3rd session, and was sustained through the 8th session.

Results: A blinded comparison of pre- and post-GVS evaluations demonstrated significant improvements in BBS (p = 0.00001) and TUG (p = 0.00003) scores. Posturography showed an increase in the stability limit area (p = 0.026) and the general balance index (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: In the therapeutic management of postural instability in PD, GVS emerges as a promising complementary strategy for enhancing balance. Further research is needed to determine whether these improvements persist after GVS cessation.

Registration of clinical trial: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-22j8728.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Galvanic vestibular stimulation: 1) the individual remained seated, barefoot, with eyes closed, wearing no object that might conduct electricity; 2) stimulation electrodes; 3) GVS-generating equipment; 4) software to control the time and intensity of stimulation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Notes: £ Time in seconds. β Higher scores indicate a perception of better balance. Wilcoxon's test. Comparative analysis of the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) £ and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) β before and after eight sessions of galvanic vestibular stimulation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Note: Wilcoxon's test. Comparison of stability limit area (mm 2 ) before and after eight sessions of galvanic vestibular stimulation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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