Peripheral and central vestibular neuromodulation improve postural control in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a randomized, sham-controlled, multi-arm intervention study

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) features structural spinal deformity and impaired postural control, which may be associated with altered vestibular function and multisensory integration. Neuromodulatory approaches such as noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) and high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) have shown promise in enhancing balance in healthy and older populations....

Vestibular neuromodulation shows promise for postural control in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, but audiologists should note this is a vestibular/rehabilitation application outside direct hearing care scope; no change to audiology practice is warranted pending replication.

Demonstrates a clinical application of vestibular neuromodulation beyond hearing disorders, broadening the potential therapeutic scope of vestibular interventions relevant to audiology-adjacent specialists.

1. 01Randomized, sham-controlled, multi-arm trial — a relatively robust study design.
2. 02Both peripheral (inner-ear-level) and central (brain-level) vestibular neuromodulation were tested.
3. 03Population is adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, not a primary audiology patient group.
4. 04Primary outcome is postural control improvement, measured objectively.
5. 05Findings may inform cross-disciplinary collaboration between audiologists and rehabilitation specialists.

PMID

42381087

DOI

10.1186/s12984-026-02056-w.

Journal

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

1b

Population

Adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis

Intervention

Peripheral and central vestibular neuromodulation

Comparator

Sham neuromodulation