Abstract
BackgroundResearch 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).MethodsChildren 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.ResultsTwo 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.ConclusionsAlthough 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.
Highlights
Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments
Healthcare professionals: We aimed to recruit five healthcare professionals involved in the clinical management of children with cerebral palsy (CP), who had an interest in balance
Study aim 1: Families—rates of participant identification, recruitment and retention Identification: Of the 560 potentially eligible participants in the region, less than 3% (n = 15/560) responded to the recruitment flyer advertised via social media and a mailing list
Summary
Research suggests electrical Vestibular Nerve Stimulation (VeNS) may improve balance for people with neurological impairments. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of movement and posture that is caused by non-progressive disturbances to the developing foetal or infant brain [1]. A recent systematic review [7] reported that 48% of children. Improvements in postural stability in children with CP have been demonstrated by stimulating the vestibular system via specific exercises [9,10,11]. A recent systematic review of the efficacy of vestibular stimulation in improving balance and function in people with CP highlighted contradictory results and methodological concerns in the underpinning literature [12]. All of the studies in the latter review evaluated vestibular stimulation in the form of exercise and movement: no studies were identified that evaluated electrical Vestibular Nerve
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