# Effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation on motor control in patients with Parkinson's disease: study protocol

## TL;DR

This study explores how galvanic vestibular stimulation, combined with physical therapy, may improve motor control in Parkinson's disease patients.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is investigating the use of galvanic vestibular stimulation as a noninvasive neuromodulation technique for motor control in Parkinson's disease.

## Key findings

- Galvanic vestibular stimulation may influence neural networks involved in motor control in Parkinson's disease.
- A structured protocol of physical-functional assessments will evaluate the effects of GVS in PD patients.
- The study aims to verify whether GVS combined with physical therapy improves motor outcomes in Parkinson's disease.

## Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) presents with both motor and non-motor symptoms. Postural and gait aspects, as well as the risk of falls, are important causes of morbidity and mortality in PD. The neural correlates of PD are alterations in the substantia nigra of the midbrain and, among other sites mentioned, the pontine peduncle nucleus stands out. Noninvasive neuromodulation, such as galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), can be used in the neural centers involved in motor control alterations in PD. Projections from the vestibular system are involved in motor control and can stimulate the basal nuclei and the pontine peduncle nucleus, as well as strengthen neural networks.

To analyze the effects of GVS associated with physical-functional exercise on the motor control of PD patients.

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants with PD, diagnosed through the Hoehn & Yahr scale (HY) 2 or 3, will be allocated to groups. Pre- and postintervention and follow-up assessments will follow a structured protocol of physical-functional instruments, as recommended in the European Guidelines for managing people with PD. The intervention for both groups will follow the American Neurofunctional Physical Therapy Guideline for managing people with PD.

It is expected that, in the experimental group, the exercises will be associated with active GVS. Finally, a descriptive and statistical analysis must be conducted to verify the effects of GVS.

The study of new devices focusing on motor control in PD is a novel approach and warrants further investigation in the context of vestibular function.