Optimizing Balance Using Vestibular Electrical Stimulation to Study its Therapeutic Effect Among Elderly

The noisy Galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is established to be a assuring tool to enhance vestibular functioning. Deterioration in vestibular functioning in the geriatric population results in reduced capacity to identify weakened signal which may result into reduction in balance and ultimately fall. Postural sway is produced when nGVS is given over mastoid process. In present study our aim is to find out whether nGVS can be utilized to maximize the outcome of balance training programme among elderly individuals. Community dwelling elderly (N=150, age 65.67±3.4 yrs) were randomly recruited to a control group (Group A, n=50, age 65.54±3.4 yrs), Placebo group (Group B, n=50, age 65.5±3.3 yrs) and a treatment group (Group C, n=50, age 65.98±3.5 yrs). No intervention was provided to Control group while placebo stimulation was given to group B along with balance training exercises and group C was provided with noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation along with balance training exercises. Pre, mid and post data were recorded on Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance and Tinetti’s fall risk scale for risk of fall and analyzed. Compared to control group there was a significant improvement in balance and reduction in risk of fall in placebo and treatment groups. Significant difference was found in treatment group in comparison with placebo group for both, BBS and Tinetti’s fall risk scale. In treatment group early changes in Balance and risk of fall was observed while similar outcomes were not obtained in control and placebo groups. The findings of this study suggests that nGVS can be choosen to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of balance training exercises clinically.