A novel neuromodulation technique for the rehabilitation of balance and gait: A case study

L Eduardo Cofré Lizama; Andisheh Bastani; Maya G Panisset; Katharine Drummond; Fary Khan; Mary P Galea

doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2018.04.077

A novel neuromodulation technique for the rehabilitation of balance and gait: A case study

J Clin Neurosci. 2018 Aug:54:140-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.04.077.

Authors

L Eduardo Cofré Lizama¹, Andisheh Bastani², Maya G Panisset³, Katharine Drummond⁴, Fary Khan⁵, Mary P Galea⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Australia; Australian Rehabilitation Research Centre (ARRC), Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia. Electronic address: eduardo.cofre@unimelb.edu.au.
² Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Australia; Australian Rehabilitation Research Centre (ARRC), Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia.
³ Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Department of Neurosurgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Australia; Australian Rehabilitation Research Centre (ARRC), Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 29764702
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2018.04.077

Abstract

Cranial-nerve non-invasive neuromodulation (CN-NINM) through the tongue has been proposed as an adjuvant intervention to improve efficacy of rehabilitation. However, CN-NINM effects have only been explored in multiple sclerosis and stroke populations. In this report we used CN-NINM during a 2-week (2 × 1.5 h sessions daily) physiotherapy program for the rehabilitation of a 57 y/o woman presenting with balance and gait impairments after a surgical resection of a fourth ventricular ependymoma. Clinical and instrumented balance and gait assessments showed improved performance in all tests and without adverse effects This study shows the beneficial effects and feasibility of combined physiotherapy and CN-NINM in this patient.

Keywords: Balance; Cranial-nerve; Gait; Neuromodulation; Neurostimulation.

MeSH terms

Brain Neoplasms / rehabilitation*
Brain Neoplasms / surgery
Ependymoma / rehabilitation*
Ependymoma / surgery
Female
Fourth Ventricle / pathology
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / rehabilitation*
Humans
Middle Aged
Radiosurgery / adverse effects
Sensation Disorders / etiology
Sensation Disorders / rehabilitation*
Tongue
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / methods*
Treatment Outcome