Caloric Vestibular Stimulation

[earthdweller]

Has anybody seen this research from the University of Kent and East Kent Hospitals University NHS Trust?

Looks interesting, although not much detail mentioned.

kent.ac.uk/news/science/103...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/268...

[enjoysalud]

It doesn't identify the device, only that it's a PORTABLE DEVICE, WHICH GIVEN ITS NOVELTY, IS AT PRESENT EXCLUSIVELY FOR CLINICAL INVESTIGATON. My guess is it's a PoNS device, mentioned in Doidge's book THE BRAINS WAY OF HEALING, pp226-279. I understand it is before the FDA, and we should hear by the end of 2016. I am VERY interested in that device. If you don't have the book (John Pepper's story is in book)Google PoNS to get more info.

[Tinker-bell in reply to enjoysalud]

I have read the book by Doidge THE BRAINS WAY OF HEALING mentioned by enjoysalud. I was frustrated to learn that PoNS devices and other innovative therapies like laser treatment that stimulate the brain to heal itself are being very successfully used in other countries for many different brain disorders whilst in UK this is not an option and we are forced to rely on medication that eventually becomes ineffective and causes serious side effects. I, as a PwP, am impatient to try at least one of these non invasive treatments that have stimulated the brains repair mechanisms.

[jeeves19 in reply to Tinker-bell]

Doidge's book paints a picture of astonishing results for PwP with the Pons, but the few that have reported use of it amidst these pages are less celebrational? about its effects. I get the sense that the device works well for those with brain damage, less well for PD. I'm not giving up on it, but that chapter you refer to hand me very hopeful. But it was written in that Panacea style that tabloids tend to lean towards i.e it's a miracle.

[HeartSong]

Oh, wow, this is fascinating! And, it doesn't involve drugs or surgery. I wonder if, while we are waiting for this device to become available on the market, we could find some methods from older traditions that would stimulate the face and tongue in prescribed ways to accomplish similar results but just to a lesser degree. I'm thinking maybe yoga, meditation by repeating a mantra that would use the tongue in a prescribed way, chanting, or even just tongue exercises. It's a worthy research topic.

Thanks for posting this, Earthdweller.

[earthdweller in reply to HeartSong]

You're welcome. I saw it because it's my from my old university and I'm on their mailing list. I was in two minds about whether to post actually, as I know how frustrating it is to read about these breakthroughs but then maybe never hear about them again. Don't like to get peoples' hopes up! But I thought it sounded interesting - yes, especially because it's a non-drug and non-surgical treatment. And I was wondering if anyone had heard about it before.

PoNS is new to me, so I'm going to have to google it.

[HeartSong in reply to earthdweller]

Please, get people's hopes up whenever you can legitimately do so. Hope helps our hearts sprout wings.

[Dear2016]

This is very interesting. Having met and heard Dr. Oliver Sachs speak about his thoughts on Parkinsons, I remember an interview on youtube.com where he suggested work on vestibular balance might be helpful to people with Parkinsons. Years ago, I read Sensory Integration and the Child and have often thought that sensory integration therapy could be helpful in restoring levels of vestibular balance, proprioception, and help midline issues in Parkinsons. Has anyone tried this?