Efficacy of thyrotropin-releasing hormone therapy for standing disabilities in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration: Evaluation using short-term stabilometry

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) therapy on standing disabilities in 6 patients with spinocellular degeneration (SCD). Each patient was examined using a stabilometer before and after TRH treatment consisting of daily intravenous TRH injections for 2 weeks. The stabilography was performed while the patient's eyes were open and closed and while the patient stood with both feet together for 60 seconds. The total length, envelope area, length/area, length/time, area of root mean square (RMS) and area of rectangle were measured. A decrease in the area of the RMS after TRH treatment, compared with the baseline value, was statistically confirmed in all 6 patients. A stabilographical examination was also performed twice at an interval of 2 weeks in 6 normal subjects, but no significant differences in any of the parameters were detected between the first and second examinations. TRH therapy was assumed to be effective for the treatment of standing disabilities in patients with SCD, since the decrease in the value of the area after treatment appeared to result not from habituation, but from the effect of the therapy.