Individualising Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Further Improves Visuomotor Performance in Parkinson’s Disease

Impaired motor function is a defining characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) has been proposed as a potential non-invasive intervention to enhance motor performance; however, its efficacy depends on both stimulation parameters and electrode configuration. In this study, we examined the effects of two-pole and three-pole GVS configurations, utilising different stimulation parameters, on motor performance in individuals with PD. Twelve participants with PD were administered eight distinct subthreshold amplitude-modulated GVS stimuli, along with sham stimulation, while performing a visuomotor target tracking task. Analysis of tracking error demonstrated substantial inter-individual variability in response to different stimuli and electrode configurations. While the three-pole configuration yielded superior motor performance in some cases, the two-pole configuration was more effective in others. The most effective overall stimulus across all subjects, characterised by an envelope frequency of 30 Hz and a carrier frequency of 110 Hz, improved motor performance by 25% relative to the sham stimulus. Moreover, tailoring the stimulation parameters to the individual further enhanced performance by an additional 24%. These findings suggest that GVS can yield significant motor improvements in individuals with PD. Furthermore, individualised optimisation of stimulation parameters, including the selection of the appropriate electrode configuration, may further enhance therapeutic efficacy.