Research Article
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation for Camptocormia in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Report
Yohei Okada1*, Yorihiro Kita2, Junji Nakamura2, Megumi Tanizawa2, Shigeru Morimoto2and Koji Shomoto1 | |
1Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Kio University, Nara, Japan | |
2Department of Rehabilitation, Nishiyamato Rehabilitation Hospital, Nara, Japan | |
Corresponding Author : | Yohei Okada Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physical Therapy Kio University, 4-2-2 Umami-naka, Koryo-cho Kitakatsuragigun, Nara, 635-0832, Japan Tel: +81-745-54-1601 Fax: +81-745-54-1600 E-mail: y.okada@kio.ac.jp |
Received July 28, 2012; Accepted August 20, 2012; Published August 23, 2012 | |
Citation: Okada Y, Kita Y, Nakamura J, Tanizawa M, Morimoto S, et al. (2012) Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation for Camptocormia in Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Report. J Nov Physiother S1:001. doi: 10.4172/2165-7025.S1-001 | |
Copyright: © 2012 Okada Y, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. |
Abstract
Background: We explored the use of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) as a tool of intervention for camptocormia in a patient with Parkinson’s disease. Methods: A 73-year–old man with a 13-year history of Parkinson’s disease presented with camptocormia. Binaural monopolar GVS was applied at 1.5 mA with the patient in the supine position for 20min. His trunk flexion angle during the standing position with eyes open and with eyes closed for 60 sec each was assessed before the GVS, after the GVS, and 1.5months after the GVS. Results: The patient’s trunk flexion angle while standing after the GVS was reduced, especially with eyes closed (by 25.2°; 55.8%) compared to that before the GVS. The patient reported that standing and sitting in his daily life were improved after the GVS, and the improvement continued up to approximately 1month after the GVS. His average trunk flexion angle while standing at the follow-up test conducted 1.5 months after the GVS was increased compared to that after the GVS, but was still smaller than that before the GVS. Conclusion: The results of this case report demonstrated significant improvement of the trunk forward flexion angle in a patient with Parkinson’s disease with camptocormia. Limitations and future research suggestions were identified.