title: Does galvanic vestibular stimulation reduce spatial neglect? A negative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spatial neglect, the functional benefit of rehabilitation methods is subject to debate. A few studies have reported that galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is efficacious in spatial neglect. The objective of the present study was to establish whether the effects of GVS persist after the end of stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four patients with pathological rightward deviation in a bisection task at least three months after right hemisphere stroke. A single-blind, randomized crossover design was used to assess the effects of GVS on performance in line bisection and star cancellation tasks under three different conditions (cathode-right, cathode-left and sham stimulation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the performance of either task following GVS (relative to sham stimulation).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Galvanic vestibular stimulation did not reduce spatial neglect symptoms in any of the stimulation conditions. Further studies are necessary to understand the disparity between our results and those reported in the literature. Repeated sessions, a higher current intensity and/or alternating-current stimulation may improve this method before it can be used clinically.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, AP-HP, 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France; Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, EA4497, 55, avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France. Electronic address: alexis.ruet@rpc.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruet
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, hôpital Louis-Lacaine, 5, rue de l'Hôpital, 14260 Aunay-sur-Odon, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jokic
authors.affiliation: Université de Normandie, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, 14000 Caen, France; Inserm, U 1075 COMETE, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, 14032 Caen, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Denise
authors.affiliation: Université de Normandie, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, 14000 Caen, France; Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, CHU de Caen, avenue de la Côte-de-Nacre, 14032 Caen, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, hôpital Raymond-Poincaré, AP-HP, 104, boulevard Raymond-Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France; Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, EA4497, 55, avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Azouvi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013037:Spatial Behavior; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth
keywords: Accident vasculaire cérébral; Galvanic vestibular stimulation; Négligence spatiale unilatérale; Spatial neglect; Stimulation galvanique vestibulaire