School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast, Medical Biology Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
BMC Pediatr. 2022 Jan 11;22(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s12887-021-03093-1.
Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VeNS headset protocol in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Children aged 5-18 years with ambulant CP, their parents, and healthcare professionals were recruited via social media. Children completed a battery of balance tests and wore a sham VeNS headset one hour per day for four weeks. Perspectives on the balance tests and headset were ascertained from children, parents and healthcare professionals using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analysed thematically.
Two families and four healthcare professionals participated. Balance outcome measures were fully completed and deemed acceptable. Adherence with wearing the headset was 89-100% but discomfort with self-adhesive electrodes was reported. Four themes emerged from interview data: headset issues, perceptions about VeNS, the importance of balance, and modifications for future study.
Although the VeNS headset had high acceptability, the volunteer sample was small, potentially suggesting limited interest in VeNS as a treatment for children with CP, or reluctance to trial a 'non-active' headset. Recruitment via clinicians known to the family and use of an 'active' headset may increase participation in future research.
研究表明，电前庭神经刺激（VeNS）可能改善神经功能障碍患者的平衡能力。本研究旨在评估经颅直流电刺激（tDCS）在脑瘫（CP）儿童中的可行性和可接受性。
通过社交媒体招募年龄在 5-18 岁、能独立行走的 CP 儿童及其家长和医疗保健专业人员。儿童佩戴假 VeNS 耳机，每天一小时，持续四周。采用半结构式访谈，从儿童、家长和医疗保健专业人员那里了解他们对平衡测试和耳机的看法。对访谈数据进行主题分析。
两个家庭和四个医疗保健专业人员参与了研究。平衡测试结果完全完成，被认为是可以接受的。佩戴耳机的依从性为 89-100%，但报告称自粘电极有不适感。访谈数据中出现了四个主题：耳机问题、对 VeNS 的看法、平衡的重要性以及未来研究的改进。
尽管 VeNS 耳机具有很高的可接受性，但志愿者样本较小，这可能表明脑瘫儿童对 VeNS 作为一种治疗方法的兴趣有限，或者不愿意试用“非活动”耳机。通过患儿家属熟悉的临床医生进行招募，并使用“活动”耳机，可能会增加未来研究的参与度。
