The Immediate Effects of Vestibular Stimulation on Gait in Patients with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

The immediate effects of controlled vestibular stimulation on Parkinsonian gait was investigated. Seventeen patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received vestibular stimulation on day one, and Group B received none. Treatments were crossed over for both groups on day two. The findings revealed that Parkinson's patients walked faster and with improved rhythm following vestibular stimulation. There was no significant improvement in step or stride length. The results of this study confirm clinical impressions that vestibular stimulation has an immediate beneficial effect on Parkinsonian gait and is thus an efficacious adjunct to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of Parkinson's patients. © 1993, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.