Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
07:24
Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane
Published on: August 22, 2025
Combined Gaze Stabilization Exercise and Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Vestibulospinal Tract
Osuke Shibata1,2, Hisato Nakazono3, Takanori Taniguchi4
1Graduate School of Advanced Health Sciences, Saga University, Saga, Japan.
Journal of Motor Behavior
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Gaze stabilization exercise improves balance control by reducing postural sway. Combining this exercise with cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) did not further enhance balance or modulate the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Cerebellar input influences vestibular nuclei and the lateral vestibulospinal tract (LVST), impacting muscle tone and postural sway.
- Cerebellar cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can reduce postural sway, but its combined effects with vestibular exercise on LVST excitability are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurophysiological and behavioral effects of combining gaze stabilization exercise (GSE) with cerebellar cathodal tDCS.
- To assess the impact on LVST excitability and postural sway in healthy adults.
Main Methods:
- Randomized crossover study with 14 healthy adults.
- Comparison of GSE with sham stimulation versus GSE with cerebellar cathodal tDCS.
- Measurement of center of pressure (COP) parameters and LVST excitability via galvanic vestibular stimulation-conditioned H-reflex (GVS-H).
Main Results:
- Both intervention conditions significantly reduced COP total trajectory length, indicating improved postural stability.
- No significant interaction effects were found for GVS-H or COP rectangular area.
- GSE alone effectively improved postural stability.
Conclusions:
- Gaze stabilization exercise is effective in reducing postural sway.
- Combining GSE with cerebellar cathodal tDCS does not provide additional benefits for postural control or LVST modulation.
