Category: Ataxia
Objective: The aim of this study is to clarify the efficacy of transcutaneous periodic vibrational stimulation(TPVS）on gait and balance function in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD).
Background: Among the symptoms of SCD, the most problematic in ADL are the impairment of balance and gait. These factors cause falls, and force patients to live in wheelchairs. A device that provides TPVS has recently been developed for patients with PD. From the neurophysiological background, we examined the efficacy of TPVS to improve functional performance for SCD.
Method: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our hospital, and we conducted a trial of TPVS in SCD patients who agreed to the study. The study cohort included 14 patients with SCD (SCA2:1, SCA3:5, SCA6:2, SCA36:1, CCA:4) with a mean age of 59.2 ± 11.2 years and a mean disease duration of 19.8 ± 8.8 years. Prior to and following the administration of the treatment, all patients underwent a comprehensive assessment of their gait function, postural sway, and cerebral blood flow. Gait functions were evaluated by measuring walking rate (10 meters) and distance walked in six minutes. The center-of-gravity sway test was evaluated by conventional methods.
Results: However, 3 patients were able to stand up from wheelchair use, reduction in the number of falls due to stabilization of gait 3 Pts，2 Pts showed improvement in upper limb intension tremor, 2 Pts improved cerebellar language, and 2 Pts improved visual function due to lightening nystagmus.
Conclusion: cerebellum of TPVS, there are reports of improvement in brain function by vibrational stimulation in the past, but all of them are continuous stimulation, and it is known that the stimulation effect is temporary due to habituation factors. Since TPVS is an intermittent stimulus, there are few factors of habituation, and the effect can be sustained. We plan to investigate the mechanism of the physiological effect of TPVS. The longest case of continuous use of TPVS in the examined cases exceeded 1 year, and ADL was maintained. No adverse events occurred.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
N. Togashi, S. Kubokawa, K. Minemura, K. Tateno, Y. Miyagi, A. Kawanami, K. Hasegawa. Effects of transcutaneous periodic vibratory stimulation on gait and balance function in Spinocerebellar degeneration -a pilot study [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2025; 40 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-transcutaneous-periodic-vibratory-stimulation-on-gait-and-balance-function-in-spinocerebellar-degeneration-a-pilot-study/. Accessed October 5, 2025.« Back to 2025 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-transcutaneous-periodic-vibratory-stimulation-on-gait-and-balance-function-in-spinocerebellar-degeneration-a-pilot-study/