Effects on postural control in quadriplegia with Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation: case report

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord injury leads to sensorimotor sequelae with functional impairment, which may affect postural control. Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) stimulates the postural muscles that support vertical posture. The present study was registered as a clinical trial in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials under numbers UTN U1111-1295-1127 and Rebec RBR-8w55n2g on 14-08-2023. AIM: To evaluate the effects of postural control in a quadriplegic patient obtained through exposure to GVS. METHOD: This is a case study; the participant was clinically assessed using the Functional Independence Measurement and the American Spinal Injury Association Scales. The computerized photographic postural assessment was conducted, and then a force platform assessment using Clinical Posturography was conducted. The patient underwent a therapeutic test to establish GVS dosimetry. Ten treatment sessions were conducted using GVS, vestibular rehabilitation, and neurofunctional physiotherapy exercises. The assessment procedures were repeated at the end. RESULTS: The patient showed gains in ASIA in sensory level scores, and FIM showed gains in independence. There were gains in Computerized Postural Assessment and Clinical Posturography Evaluation (increase in the sway area and speed variables in the x axes, and a decrease in the y axis velocity). A change in condition to sitting without support was achieved and recorded. CONCLUSION: GVS is a novel resource in the recovery of postural control by stimulating physiological circuits in quadriplegic patients after spinal cord trauma. This case report helped us to evaluate a novel clinical and functional tool, as the features of this proposal to studied with more participants.