Changes in cortical activation during proprioceptive stimulation and galvanic vestibular stimulation in healthy individuals and individuals with post-stroke balance disorders: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.

INTRODUCTION

Although previous studies have shown that galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and proprioceptive stimulation (PS) can improve balance function in patients with post-stroke balance disorders, the exact central mechanisms remain unclear. This study used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate differences and changes in cortical activation during PS, GVS, and their combination in healthy individuals and patients with post-stroke balance disorders.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with post-stroke balance disorders and twenty healthy controls were enrolled as the patient and healthy groups, respectively. Participants stood on the vibrating platform and underwent three tasks: only GVS (Task 1), only PS (Task 2), and GVS and PS (Task 3). Cortical activation of Somatosensory cortex (S1), Motor cortex (MC), Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and Broca's area (Broca) was collected using fNIRS.

RESULTS

Task 1 did not activate any region of interest (ROI) in either group. Task 2 activated right S1, bilateral MC, DLPFC, and Broca in the healthy group. In the patient group, Task 2 activated right S1 and left MC. In contrast, Task 3 elicited activation of all ROIs in both groups. Cortical activation between the two groups during the three tasks did not show any significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Compared to GVS or PS alone, combining GVS with PS better improved cortical hemodynamic conditions in patients with post-stroke balance disorders. These findings highlight the clinical potential of GVS and PS in the rehabilitation of patients with post-stroke balance disorders, warranting further exploration.