Vestibular stimulation to improve ambulation after a cerebral vascular accident

A pilot study was undertaken to determine if vestibular stimulation could be a valuable therapeutic measure in rehabilitating the patient who has had a cerebral vascular accident. Twenty patients with cerebral vascular accidents were tested. Changes in functional ambulation abilities of 10 patients receiving a passive vestibular exercise were compared with those of 10 patients not receiving this exercise. The vestibular stimulation was provided through a rotary stimulus that emphasized angular acceleration and deceleration. Patients who received the vestibular stimulation demonstrated greater improvement in functional ambulation than did patients who did not receive the stimulation.