Effects of Peripheral Vestibular Stimulation on Balance Post Stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of Peripheral Vestibular Stimulation Exercises on Postural Alignment and Balance in Acute Stroke.
IRAS ID
166859
Contact name
Nicholas Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Brighton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 15 days
Research summary
What effects does inner ear exercises have on postural alignment and balance in adult acute stroke patients over a six week period?
Individuals who have a stroke often have impaired balance and can lean to one side (lateropulsion) restricting independent function in the long term including tasks such as walking. The current physiotherapy management of poor balance and altered posture after a stroke remains limited and has a poor evidence base. Inner ear exercises (vestibular rehabilitation) have been shown to improve balance in healthy and dizzy patient populations. A reflex originating within the inner ear (vestibular system) has been shown to improve trunk and head posture in stroke patients. However, the effect of inner ear exercises on posture and balance have not actually been investigated within stroke rehabilitation.
This pilot study will use an experimental design involving two groups of patients: one group will be given inner ear exercises as well as conventional physiotherapy, the other group will act as a control and receive only conventional physiotherapy. Balance and posture will be measured over a six week period to compare any effects between the two groups. The inner ear exercises used will involve 360° rotations with the patient sitting in a wheelchair, x 3 spins, x 3 sets, every day 5 times a week for six weeks.
The potential benefits include the development of a new stroke intervention (360° spins) that can be easily applied by clinicians and improve the evidence base for stroke. This intervention may improve patient's balance and thereby their ability to walk and do things for themselves in everyday life.
This study will recruit from the stroke unit at Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington as part of an MRes in Clinical Research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0192
Date of REC Opinion
22 May 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion