Effect of Vestibular Stimulation Exercises on Level of Consciousness in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is frequently associated with impaired consciousness due to disruption of cortical, subcortical, and brainstem arousal networks. Reduced consciousness limits participation in rehabilitation and highlights the need for safe early interventions to facilitate responsiveness. Conventional multisensory stimulation provides visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory input to support arousal....

Preliminary evidence suggests vestibular stimulation exercises may improve level of consciousness in intracerebral hemorrhage patients, but this is outside typical audiology scope; audiologists and vestibular specialists should monitor this emerging rehabilitation literature rather than change practice now.

If vestibular stimulation proves effective for consciousness recovery in brain-injured patients, it would open a new clinical role for vestibular rehabilitation specialists in neurocritical care settings.

1. 01Vestibular stimulation exercises were applied to patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain).
2. 02The study focused on the vestibular system's role in activating cortical and brainstem arousal networks.
3. 03Outcome measured was level of consciousness, suggesting a neurological — not just auditory — application of vestibular therapy.
4. 04Intracerebral hemorrhage disrupts the arousal networks that keep people alert and aware.
5. 05Findings could support a broader role for vestibular therapists in neurocritical or neurorehabilitation settings.

PMID

42500765

DOI

10.7759/cureus.111415.

Journal

Cureus

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage experiencing altered consciousness

Intervention

Vestibular stimulation exercises