Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has demonstrated efficacy in restoring vestibular function and in stabilizing stance and gait in patients with vestibular dysfunction. The current study was conducted to investigate the synergistic effects of cerebellum tDCS (ctDCS) combined with vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) on static and dynamic postural stability in adults with chronic vestibular...
If cerebellar tDCS demonstrates significant balance improvements over sham in this RCT, vestibular rehabilitation specialists should consider it as an adjunct to standard vestibular therapy — but full results and safety data must be reviewed before any practice change.
A positive RCT for non-invasive brain stimulation in chronic vestibular hypofunction would open a new, accessible adjunct treatment avenue for a patient population with limited rehabilitative options.
- 01RCT design comparing multi-session cerebellar tDCS (brain stimulation) to a control condition in adults.
- 02Target population is chronic vestibular hypofunction (long-term inner ear balance disorder).
- 03Outcomes include balance function and stance/gait (standing and walking ability) measures.
- 04Published in American Journal of Otolaryngology 2026 (PMID: 42061179).
- 05Cerebellar tDCS is non-invasive and low-cost relative to surgical or pharmaceutical options.
Multi-session cerebellar tDCS improves balance function in adults with chronic vestibular hypofunction.
studyunclearCerebellar tDCS affects stance and gait outcomes in vestibular hypofunction patients.
studyunclear- PMID
- 42061179
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104828.
- Journal
- American Journal of Otolaryngology
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 1b
- Population
- Adults with chronic vestibular hypofunction (long-term inner-ear balance disorder)
- Intervention
- Multi-session cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- Comparator
- Sham tDCS (inactive/placebo stimulation)
Primary outcomes
Balance function; Stance outcomes; Gait outcomes