Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improves gait and cortical activity in Parkinson's disease: A pilot randomized study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, we explored the effect of 20 Hz transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on gait impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and investigated the underlying neural mechanism.

Methods

In total, 22 PD patients and 14 healthy controls were enrolled. PD patients were randomized (1:1) to receive active or sham taVNS (same position as active taVNS group but without releasing current) twice a day for 1 week. Meanwhile, all subjects were measured activation in the bilateral frontal and sensorimotor cortex during usual walking by functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Results

PD patients showed instable gait with insufficient range of motion during usual walking. Active taVNS improved gait

SUBMITTER: Zhang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10651956 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature